Colorado Petition, Amendment 38 (2006)
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The Colorado Petition, Amendment 38 appeared on the November 2006 ballot in Colorado as an CICA, where it was approved.
- Yes: 456,468 (31%)
- No: 1,027,550 (69%)
Impact
The measure would have expanded the ability of citizens to propose laws, modified current procedures, limited the ability of governing bodies to change, enact, or repeal citizen-initiated measures, limited the number of measures government may exempt from voter challenge.
Ballot wording
The official ballot title read:
An amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning initiative and referendum petitions, and, in connection therewith, changing petition rights and procedures; allowing petitions to be submitted at all levels of Colorado government; limiting initiative ballot titles to 75 words; changing single-subject requirements and procedures; limiting the annual number of new laws that governments may exclude from possible referendum petitions; establishing standards for review of filed petitions; specifying that petitions may be voted on at any November election; limiting the use of government resources to discuss a petition; requiring voter approval for future petition laws and rules and for changes to certain voter-approved petitions; and authorizing measures to enforce the amendment.
Supporters
The committee supporting the amendment was Yes on 38. Supporters argued that Amendment 38 would make local elected officials more responsive to constituents by extending the petition process to all state and local governments. They said it would encourage citizen reforms to improve government, and that such proposals would be subjected to months of public debate leading up to an election, encouraging voter interest and participation.
In addition, they argued that Amendment 38 would streamline petition procedures, making the petition process more workable for proponents and more helpful to voters.
Proponents said Amendment 38 would require governing bodies to respect the decisions of voters on ballot measures by requiring a vote of the people before changing that voter-approved policy.[1]
Opponents
Groups opposing the measure included Coloradans For Responsible Reform 2006, Hospitality Issue Pac, Colorado Springs Vote No On 38, the Bell Ballot Action, and People For The American Way Voters Alliance of Colorado.
Opponents argued that Amendment 38 would weaken representative government. Citizens elect representatives to consider all points of view on issues, to make policy decisions, and to change those decisions when necessary. Under Amendment 38, they feared, more laws might be enacted that have not received sufficient refinement.
They argued further that Amendment 38 would encourage abuse of the petition process by eliminating safeguards, such as limiting the ability of election officials to check petition signatures and shortening the time for protesting signatures. They warned that a sound petition process should include sufficient checks and balances.
Opponents also expressed concern that Amendment 38 might result in voters having to decide an increasing number of complex policy issues with less analysis than they have today.
Opponents worried that Amendment 38 would limit governments' ability to respond to changing circumstances or emergencies, since unless specifically provided in the law, lawmakers cannot amend any law adopted by voters through the petition process.[1]
Campaign finance
Donors for the campaign for the measure:[2]
- Yes on 38: $12,452
- Total: $12,452
Donors for the campaign against the measure:
- Coloradans for Responsible Reform-2006: $1,099,517
- Hospitality Issue PAC: $1,056,800
- Colorado Springs Vote No on 38: $10,000
- Bell Ballot Action: $5,000
- People for the American Way Voters Allianceo of CO: $100
- Total: $2,171,418
- Overall Total: $2,183,869
See also
- Procedures for qualifying an initiative in Colorado
- Laws governing the initiative process in Colorado
- Campaign finance requirements for Colorado ballot measures
- Colorado 2006 ballot measures
- Colorado House of Representatives
- Colorado Senate
