So I broke down yesterday, and opened my ballot envelope. It didn’t look as intimidating as I thought it might, although the list of candidates was… excessive? Or, in some cases, meager?
I recognized only a dozen of the 46 candidate names on the ballot. Maybe seven of the names are actually going to get my vote. The rest of them are people I know nothing about. Especially, the judges. I wish I knew more.
On the reverse side of the ballot are the Constitutional Amendments and Propositions. Most of those, I have formulated an opinion about, and I shared some of those opinions yesterday in Part One. Do I fully understand the issues? Of course not. Do most of my fellow voters fully understand the issues? Of course not. But we’re presented a chance to use our intuition and reasoning, and we can vote hoping to make the state of Colorado better for ourselves, personally — or, alternatively, for Coloradans in general.
One of my dear friends refuses to vote. She calls elections a “scam”. She has a point. I will be voting for some candidates who will likely betray my trust, in some way, as they use, or misuse, the political power they acquire.
I will be voting “Yes” or “No” on amendments and propositions that I don’t fully understand, and my vote — and your vote — could have unintended consequences that some of us will eventually find oppressive.
Life’s just like that. Things don’t always turn out the way we wish they would.
So… here’s a bit more amateur advice on the remaining citizen-initiated Propositions on this ballot. Propositions create citizen-approved laws that can be later modified or repealed by our elected Colorado legislature.
Proposition 129: Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates. This proposition would create a state-regulated profession of ‘veterinary professional associate’ and would outline the minimum education and qualifications required to become one. Currently, the state allows only veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinarian technician specialist as regulated providers of veterinary care in Colorado. My sense is that people in our society are relying ever more heavily on pet animals to provide friendship and companionship. If the creation of an additional class of professionals will help meet the needs of pet owners — as well as need to keep livestock healthy — that could be a benefit. On the other hand, I dislike the idea of any industry controlling who can and cannot offer services to the public. It’s a balancing act. I will not be casting a vote on this Proposition, and will allow the folks who understand it better make the decision.
Proposition 130: Funding for Law Enforcement. This proposition will direct the Colorado legislature to spend $350 million to help recruit, train, and retain law-enforcement officers, and to provide additional benefits for families of officers killer in the line of duty. The money would be provided to the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The proposition doesn’t explain where the money will come from, or when it will be spent, or how it will be spent. In other words, it creates a “slush fund”. This is a poorly written law. I will be voting “No”.
Proposition 131: Establishing Establishing All-Candidate Primary and Ranked Choice Voting General Elections. This proposition would change the way candidates appear on your primary and general election ballot and would allow you to “rank” multiple candidates, first choice, second choice, third choice… Potentially, a candidate who is ranked “second choice” by many, many people could beat a candidate who is ranked “first choice” by fewer people. In other words, it’s a slightly different method for choosing elected leaders. It’s already being tried in certain cities in the U.S. and Europe. It makes elections more complicated and expensive. I don’t know enough about it to recommend a “Yes” or “No” vote.
The Cadidates
At the top of the ballot, we have the candidates for President.
I believe the candidate who most shares my ethics and values is Green Party candidate Jill Stein. She ran in 2016 and won about 1% of the popular vote.
But the only candidates who have a chance to win this election are Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Trump had four years to drain the swamp in Washington and make life better for working families. At the end of four years, the rich were richer and the poor were poorer, and the nation was more divided, and more full of hate and mistrust.
Kamala Harris is part of the established power structure — which is too often a corrupt power structure — but she doesn’t spread hate and mistrust. And she’s not a convicted criminal. She will get my vote.
I’ve heard Cleave Simpson speak on a couple of occasions and I like the way he talks, and what he’s accomplished in office. He will get my vote for State Senator, District 6.
I don’t know much about Jeff Hurd, running as a Republican for U.S. Representative, District 3. He’s running against Adam Frisch. Mr. Frisch took on Lauren Boebert two years ago and nearly beat her in a heavily-Republican district. Now he’s giving it another run. He’s obviously a hard worker who doesn’t give up easily and I have to admire that quality. My vote will be for Adam Frisch.
I can’t make recommendations for any of the other state candidates.
I will be voting for Warren Brown for County Commissioner. I don’t always agree with his decisions, and he made a few serious mistakes during his first term, but like Adam Frisch, he’s a hard worker and doesn’t give up easily. I expect he will continue to learn over the next four years.
John Ranson doesn’t need my vote, because he’s running unopposed for County Commissioner. I expect he and I will disagree on policies once he gets in office, but like Warren Brown, John seems thoughtful and hard-working. I’m glad he chose to run.
That’s all my advice for candidates. You’re on your own from here. Good luck.