Amendment 85: Colorado voters will decide whether ballot measures must be understandable to an 8th grader

9 days ago by dacalla to c/politics

The measure was brought by Advance Colorado, a conservative political nonprofit that doesn’t disclose its donors, but has picked up support from other organizations and people, including some that are liberal

TheTechnician27 23 points 9 days ago

Opponents say Amendment 85 isn’t necessary. Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed a law requiring ballot titles to be written in “accessible language,” which is defined as language that is understood by the widest possible audience.

They also say Amendment 85 would prevent state lawmakers from passing laws requiring certain language to be included in ballot questions, such as explaining the complicated impact of proposals that spend tax dollars on the rest of the state’s budget.

Joshua Mantell, Bell Policy Center’s director of government relations, said ballot proposals should be explained as simply as possible but requiring an eighth-grade standard is too restrictive. He said simply including the word “fiscal” in a ballot question could put it above an eighth-grade level.

In a state where voters are often asked to decide complicated issues, ballot proposals could have to be boiled down to the equivalent of a campaign slogan style statement, he said. Mantell said the change could help Advance Colorado pass future ballot questions.

I mean, yeah, it seems pretty evident that the reason the reactionary organization Advance Colorado is spearheading this is that they want to restrict the types of issues that can be put on the ballot.

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Zak 17 points 9 days ago

Accessible language mostly sounds like a good idea, but what I imagine happening here is opponents of any ballot measure will attempt to use this restriction to challenge it procedurally rather than on its merits.

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Eldritch 15 points 9 days ago

On the one hand that's still beyond the reading grasp of many adults. Though not the worst idea. I think the bigger issue is that whether or not they could read it. Many of the ones that absolutely should won't still. But then that's senators and reps for you generally.

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SippyCup 21 points 9 days ago

This is a smoke screen to grant conservative operators a path to strike down ballot measures before they're ever voted on. Sure it sounds good. But it's so vague and hard to test that basically anything you don't like can be struck down with this if you sue enough.

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Eldritch 8 points 9 days ago

Sadly that's not at all surprising and absolutely believable.

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Treczoks 10 points 9 days ago

This would still leave half the voters out...

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yeahiknow3 1 point 9 days ago

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