How is it that voting, a basic constitutional right, is consistently such a problem for state's to figure out how to do well. You’d think that after the Florida election morass that happened in 2000, states would have be able to get their act together enough to create a voting system that efficiently works along with ensuring voter confidence in fair and impartial elections.  Apparently not…with Secretary of State Mike Coffman decertifying many of Colorado’s electronic voting machines it has created election turmoil over how to count votes next November.  Coffman’s decisions have put him at odds with many county clerks who want an all mail-in ballot next year.  However, this apparently was not the option Coffman preferred, because yesterday he recommended to the Legislature that paper ballots be used in the fall. 

The result of this mire of voting uncertainty is a showdown this legislative session over election procedures in the centennial state.  Legislators have expressed mixed reactions over the debacle.  According to the Grand Junction Sentinel:

Coffman's announcement on Wednesday followed one on Monday by state Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, calling for greater use of paper ballots. Gordon said he doubted the reliability of all electronic voting machines and called for legislation to avoid an election fiasco in November.

 

State Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, said he was all the more interested in carrying legislation this session voiding the requirement for state certification and allowing federally certified machines to be used, an effort that state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, endorsed.

This week we sent out a letter asking Progress Now members to urge Governor Ritter to support protection of the Roan Plateau as he plans to release his 120 day review to the Bureau of Land Management.  Over 500 members responded by signing the open letter.  You can read the letter here

We also have a sampling of just some of the comments that members left.

Douglas Schnitzspahn -

Please consider the long-term effects of short-term thinking. The amount of natural gas that can be recovered form the Roan Plateau can never make up for the fragile, wild character of the place I want to be able to tell my children that you helped save this place for them and their children.

I've seen photos of the drilling platforms already in the Roan Plateau area and know that many, many more are planned.  This would be an irreplaceable long-term loss for our state, and I don't believe the short term energy gain warrants it, especially since conservation measures are still not a priority. In addition to the wildlife, there are many native plant species that will suffer if drilling goes ahead as planned. It is extremely difficult if not impossible to restore native plant species once their habitat is disturbed and it is these species that the wildlife depends on.

Nancy Zeilig -

I'm so glad you're Colorado's governor. It's great to have a governor we can trust to act out of integrity.

Les Gray -

The Roan Plateau is a jewel.  Only a small percentage of existing leased land has been developed.  We don't need the Roan now and future drilling techniques may do less damage.  Mr. Bush has already handsomely rewarded his patrons; don't let them get the Roan, too.