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Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, was chosen as the new speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives today.
Carroll, who served as assistant majority leader this past session, will be the first African-American speaker in the state's history.
The slot opens up when Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, and the speaker since January 2005, leaves the house in early January. Romanoff is term-limited.
Observers originally believed that Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, would be the next speaker. However, Buescher was defeated in his bid for re-election Tuesday.
Carroll joins Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, as a legislative trailblazer in the Centennial State. Groff, chosen as senate president last January, is the first African-American to hold that legislative post.
Showing posts with label 2008 election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 election. Show all posts
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dems Increase State Senate Majority
Democrats grew their majority in the state senate Tuesday as they picked up one seat and held off several strong challenges to seats they held in the 66th General Assembly.
Businesswoman Linda Newell of Littleton held off former GOP Rep. Lauri Clapp for the District 26 seat being vacated by Sen. Steve Ward, R-Littleton. At the time of this writing Newell was leading by less than 100 votes out of more than 53,000 cast in the district.
Meanwhile, state school board member Evie Hudak held off Republican Libby Szabo for the Jefferson County seat now held by Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, and Rep. Morgan Carroll of Aurora defeated Suzanne Andrews. That District 29 seat is now held by Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora.
In addition, Rep. Mary Hodge, D-Brighton, beat the GOP's Robert Hadfield in District 29 and Democrat Joyce Foster outran Republican Robert Lane in District 35.
Republicans didn't pick up any seats in the senate but several new GOP members will arrive in January. They include Mark Scheffel of Parker in District 4,
Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, in District 8, and former Rep. and house majority leader Keith King of Colorado Springs in District 12.
The GOP's Shawn Mitchell held off a spirited challenge from Democrat Joe Whitcomb to hold on to his Broomfield-area seat.
Businesswoman Linda Newell of Littleton held off former GOP Rep. Lauri Clapp for the District 26 seat being vacated by Sen. Steve Ward, R-Littleton. At the time of this writing Newell was leading by less than 100 votes out of more than 53,000 cast in the district.
Meanwhile, state school board member Evie Hudak held off Republican Libby Szabo for the Jefferson County seat now held by Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, and Rep. Morgan Carroll of Aurora defeated Suzanne Andrews. That District 29 seat is now held by Sen. Bob Hagedorn, D-Aurora.
In addition, Rep. Mary Hodge, D-Brighton, beat the GOP's Robert Hadfield in District 29 and Democrat Joyce Foster outran Republican Robert Lane in District 35.
Republicans didn't pick up any seats in the senate but several new GOP members will arrive in January. They include Mark Scheffel of Parker in District 4,
Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, in District 8, and former Rep. and house majority leader Keith King of Colorado Springs in District 12.
The GOP's Shawn Mitchell held off a spirited challenge from Democrat Joe Whitcomb to hold on to his Broomfield-area seat.
Dems Hold House Majority; Buescher Loses
Democrats held on to their majority in the state House of Representatives Tuesday, but face the next session without the man many predicted would be the next speaker.
Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, conceded defeat to the GOP's Laura Bradford.
Buescher, the powerful joint budget committee chairman and the man most observers expected to replace term-limited Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, as speaker in January, was losing by less than 600 votes out of more than 34,000 cast, according to a report in the Denver Post.
Democrats picked up a seat in usually-Republican Colorado Springs, with Dennis Apuan defeating Kit Roupe in District 17.
Republicans also regained the District 40 seat, which is being vacated by term-limited Rep. Debbie Stafford. Stafford was a Republican until changing her party affiliation to Democratic before the 2008 legislative session.
Cindy Acree accumulated nearly 59 percent of the vote in dispatching Karen Wilde.
The GOP also picked up the District 30 seat. Republican Kevin Priola defeated Democrat Dave Rose.
Other new faces in the House include Democrat Lois Court in District 6, Beth McCann in District 8, Joe Miklosi in District 9, Dickey Hullinghorst in District 10, Sue Schafer in District 24, Su Ryden in District 36, Sal Pace in District 46, and Edward Vigil in District 62. New representatives also include Republicans Mark Waller in District 15, Cheri Gerou in District 25, Carole Murray in District 45, Randy Baumgardner in District 57 and Scott Tipton in District 58.
The Democrats net loss was 2 seats. They will have a 38-27 majority when the 67th General Assembly convenes in January.
Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, conceded defeat to the GOP's Laura Bradford.
Buescher, the powerful joint budget committee chairman and the man most observers expected to replace term-limited Rep. Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, as speaker in January, was losing by less than 600 votes out of more than 34,000 cast, according to a report in the Denver Post.
Democrats picked up a seat in usually-Republican Colorado Springs, with Dennis Apuan defeating Kit Roupe in District 17.
Republicans also regained the District 40 seat, which is being vacated by term-limited Rep. Debbie Stafford. Stafford was a Republican until changing her party affiliation to Democratic before the 2008 legislative session.
Cindy Acree accumulated nearly 59 percent of the vote in dispatching Karen Wilde.
The GOP also picked up the District 30 seat. Republican Kevin Priola defeated Democrat Dave Rose.
Other new faces in the House include Democrat Lois Court in District 6, Beth McCann in District 8, Joe Miklosi in District 9, Dickey Hullinghorst in District 10, Sue Schafer in District 24, Su Ryden in District 36, Sal Pace in District 46, and Edward Vigil in District 62. New representatives also include Republicans Mark Waller in District 15, Cheri Gerou in District 25, Carole Murray in District 45, Randy Baumgardner in District 57 and Scott Tipton in District 58.
The Democrats net loss was 2 seats. They will have a 38-27 majority when the 67th General Assembly convenes in January.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Ritter Tells Coffman He Should Clarify that Voter Deadline is Election Day
Gov. Bill Ritter today urged Secretary of State Mike Coffman to immediately correct an error Coffman’s office made regarding the deadline for fixing an incomplete voter registration application. The deadline is actually Nov. 4 (Election Day), not Oct. 6 as previously announced by Coffman.
Ritter also asked Coffman to cooperate with the administration in seeking an expansion of early voting opportunities in counties across the state.
“We are less than one month away from an election in which record numbers of people will seek to cast their ballots in Colorado and across the nation,” Ritter said. “We must do everything we can to ensure Colorado is in full compliance with all provisions of the Help America Vote Act, that voters are not being improperly purged from the voting rolls, and that eligible and qualified citizens are not being improperly denied the ability to register to vote.”
The text of Ritter's letter is available here.
Ritter also asked Coffman to cooperate with the administration in seeking an expansion of early voting opportunities in counties across the state.
“We are less than one month away from an election in which record numbers of people will seek to cast their ballots in Colorado and across the nation,” Ritter said. “We must do everything we can to ensure Colorado is in full compliance with all provisions of the Help America Vote Act, that voters are not being improperly purged from the voting rolls, and that eligible and qualified citizens are not being improperly denied the ability to register to vote.”
The text of Ritter's letter is available here.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Electronic Vote Machine Re-Test Bill Moves On
The bill allowing Secretary of State Mike Coffman would be able to re-test electronic voting machines passed a Senate committee Monday, continuing its fast track to the Governor.
HB 1155 would not change the standards set by current law for recertification of electronic voting machines. Instead, it would open the door for county elections administrators to be involved in testing of the machines. That, in turn, would permit the Secretary of State to consider their procedures and experience when deciding whether the machines produce results that are accurate and secure.
The State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee amended the bill to make clear that re-certified machines could be used only in elections conducted in 2008 and 2009before they would have to be tested again.
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, and David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sens. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, now moves to the Senate floor.
HB 1155 would not change the standards set by current law for recertification of electronic voting machines. Instead, it would open the door for county elections administrators to be involved in testing of the machines. That, in turn, would permit the Secretary of State to consider their procedures and experience when deciding whether the machines produce results that are accurate and secure.
The State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee amended the bill to make clear that re-certified machines could be used only in elections conducted in 2008 and 2009before they would have to be tested again.
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, and David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sens. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, now moves to the Senate floor.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Clerks: Ritter Election Plan Will Cost Millions
The state's county clerks said Thursday that the cost of implementing Gov. Bill Ritter's plan to conduct 2008 elections by traditional paper ballots cast at polling places will cost at least $10 million.
A report published in the Rocky Mountain News says that counties have already spent almost $24 million to purchase the electronic voting machines and counting equipment needed to comply with a federal law enacted in 2002. About $9 million of that amount was paid for by the counties.
Only one county, Boulder County, uses the traditional polling place, paper ballot method of conducting elections. All other counties will face expenses either to acquire the necessary equipment, retrofit existing machines and/or rent polling places, pay election judges and print ballots.
Secretary of State Mike Coffman's Dec. 17 order decertifying electronic voting machines in counties across the state is being appealed by 50 counties and several equipment manufacturers.
A report published in the Rocky Mountain News says that counties have already spent almost $24 million to purchase the electronic voting machines and counting equipment needed to comply with a federal law enacted in 2002. About $9 million of that amount was paid for by the counties.
Only one county, Boulder County, uses the traditional polling place, paper ballot method of conducting elections. All other counties will face expenses either to acquire the necessary equipment, retrofit existing machines and/or rent polling places, pay election judges and print ballots.
Secretary of State Mike Coffman's Dec. 17 order decertifying electronic voting machines in counties across the state is being appealed by 50 counties and several equipment manufacturers.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ritter, Legislators Want Paper Ballot-Only Elections in '08
Gov. Bill Ritter, flanked by legislative leaders, announced at a press conference this afternoon that he thinks the state should conduct traditional polling place, paper ballot elections this year.
The governor's stance places him at odds with the preferences of county clerks, who have said they would like elections this year to be conducted via mail ballots.
Paper ballots "ensure a verifiable paper trail and minimize the possibility of technology failures that have caused Election Day problems in the past," said Ritter.
Ritter also sent a letter to county clerks laying out his opinion on how elections should be administered in the aftermath of the Dec. 17 decision by Secretary of State Mike Coffman to decertify electronic voting machines.
"While we understand that some clerks may have preferred a different outcome, we will continue to work with you to ensure a successful election process," Ritter wrote.
Coffman mildly criticized Ritter's decision following the press conference.
"The clerks are the ones who administer elections, and it is only fair that we defer to their judgment," said Coffman, who nevertheless agreed that the governor and legislature have the right to make the rules.
House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, will sponsor legislation aimed at writing Ritter's preference for traditional polling place, paper-ballot elections into law.
The governor's stance places him at odds with the preferences of county clerks, who have said they would like elections this year to be conducted via mail ballots.
Paper ballots "ensure a verifiable paper trail and minimize the possibility of technology failures that have caused Election Day problems in the past," said Ritter.
Ritter also sent a letter to county clerks laying out his opinion on how elections should be administered in the aftermath of the Dec. 17 decision by Secretary of State Mike Coffman to decertify electronic voting machines.
"While we understand that some clerks may have preferred a different outcome, we will continue to work with you to ensure a successful election process," Ritter wrote.
Coffman mildly criticized Ritter's decision following the press conference.
"The clerks are the ones who administer elections, and it is only fair that we defer to their judgment," said Coffman, who nevertheless agreed that the governor and legislature have the right to make the rules.
House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder, Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, will sponsor legislation aimed at writing Ritter's preference for traditional polling place, paper-ballot elections into law.
Vote Solution to be Unveiled Today
Gov. Bill Ritter and legislative leaders will hold a news conference early this afternoon to announce a plan for running the autumn elections.
This morning, at an oversight hearing conducted by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Mike Coffman said he would support a proposal to conduct an all-mail election in November.
He also said the legislature should any counties desiring to permit in-person paper balloting in addition to mail balloting to do so.
There are several proposals aimed at resolving the voting quandary pending in the General Assembly.
These include HB 1155, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, which would allow Coffman to re-test the electronic voting machines that were decertified for use last month.
HB 1155 was endorsed by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Jan. 17. It now moves to the House floor for the first of two votes needed to move the bill on to the Senate.
In addition, Gordon indicated before the start of the session that he would introduce a bill to permit use of traditional paper ballots, and possibly an all-mail election process, in order to sidestep Coffman's Dec. 17 decertification order.
This morning, at an oversight hearing conducted by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Mike Coffman said he would support a proposal to conduct an all-mail election in November.
He also said the legislature should any counties desiring to permit in-person paper balloting in addition to mail balloting to do so.
There are several proposals aimed at resolving the voting quandary pending in the General Assembly.
These include HB 1155, sponsored by Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, and Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, which would allow Coffman to re-test the electronic voting machines that were decertified for use last month.
HB 1155 was endorsed by the House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Jan. 17. It now moves to the House floor for the first of two votes needed to move the bill on to the Senate.
In addition, Gordon indicated before the start of the session that he would introduce a bill to permit use of traditional paper ballots, and possibly an all-mail election process, in order to sidestep Coffman's Dec. 17 decertification order.
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