Single Transferable Vote Discussed at the Capitol
Bob Marshall, a Democrat representing District 43 – Highlands Ranch, has again begun this year to draft a bill that increases the boards of county commissioners from three to five members for jurisdictions over 150,000 people.
The latest version of the (not yet introduced) bill, HB25-0571, gives the county residents the option to elect those five by creating exactly five geographical districts.
OR better yet:
One at-large county district that uses single transferable vote as an electoral means of choosing the five commissioners. This system is a multi-winner form of proportional representation and will pave the way for independents and minor political parties to have representation at the county-level of political decision-making, where they previously have had none. Also note that 53 of 64 Colorado Counties are one-party dominant, that is all three commissioners are either entirely Democrat or Republican, but not both.
It is a monumental first step. And people who cherish democracy will breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s my understanding that CCI is currently being asked for input, as well as a more activist organization of the counties.
Needless to say, I support this change, having campaigned on it last fall. Every commissioner, R or D, that I have talked to privately supports this change. Please reach out to your local legislator to support this bill after it is introduced in the near future. I am represented by Brianna Titone (Arvada, HD 27) and she supported last year’s attempt in the Colorado Legislature to increase county commissions to 5 members.
Also note that if a county is between 70,000 and 150,000 residents they could also have the choice to increase to five commissioners. Pay rate changes of the commissioners is not discussed, but follows the legislature’s set rates for statutory counties. Jeffco is a 1-A County and a commissioner makes $150,991.
Please note that each county could still elect to become “home rule” like Weld, if two of the three commissioners want to put it to a vote of the county citizens. They can decide this at any time they want electoral reform.
Let’s help the county help themselves.
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