Officials in at least nine counties plan to mail ballots to inactive voters for the Nov. 1 election — a decision some believe could give a boost to a statewide ballot measure to raise taxes for education. The counties — all but two of which lean or are heavily Democratic — are home to about 107,000 voters considered “inactive/failed to vote.”
Victor Mitchell, a former state representative from Douglas County who is leading the opposition to Proposition 103, said Tuesday the fact that some counties are mailing to inactive voters while others are not is “a form of gerrymandering and voter manipulation” that creates an unlevel playing field.
“It will clearly have an effect,” Mitchell said. “Will it be enough to put (Proposition 103) over the top? I certainly hope not.” Proposition 103, the only statewide measure on next month’s ballot, would raise taxes for five years to generate $3 billion for education.
State Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, who has led the pro-Proposition 103 effort, said he applauds the decision to send ballots to inactive voters because it is “better for democracy,” but he added it won’t affect the campaign.
“Whether this helps us or hurts us, we’re not changing anything we’re doing,” Heath said.
Last month, Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler asked a judge to order Denver County Clerk and Recorder Debra Johnson, a Democrat, not to mail ballots to inactive voters.
Full Article: Fairness questioned as 9 mostly Democratic Colorado counties to mail inactive voters ballots – The Denver Post.