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Denver Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission Creation Referendum (2010)
A Denver Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission Creation Referendum was on the November 2 ballot in Denver County.
This measure was defeated
- YES 31,108 (17.66%)
- NO 145,022 (82.34%)
[1]
This measure sought to create a commission to keep track of UFO sitings and activities in the area. The sponsor submitted more than the minimum 3,974 signatures required to qualify the issue for the ballot.[2]
On November 2, 2010, Initiative 300 was overwhelmingly rejected by Denver citizens with 80% voting against.[3]
Background
The measure sought to create greater government transparency about UFO sitings and extraterrestrial encounters because they argue that claims are not taken seriously. The main drive behind the referendum was to legitimize those extraterrestrial encounters and to create better cooperation on with the government.[4] According to campaign website, "The Obama-Biden administration and its pro-disclosure cabinet members have not indicated the will or courage to disclose UFO files. This is despite Obama's many promises of openness and transparency in government." Supporters said they expect the proposed committee to force the government to disclose information regarding previous UFO sitings and encounters.[5]. However, others point out that there is nothing in the ballot initiative language to force the government to disclose anything, and that its main effect is to allow a commission of believers in extraterrestrials to print their opinions on the Denver city web site.[6][7][8]
A hip-hop song was used during the campaign in support of this measures in the hope that it would connect with younger people and get the message of the initiative across.[9]
Date Change
The measure was moved from the August primary ballot to the general election in November 2010. Proponent and initiator of the measure Jeff Peckman said he was excited about the change. He had been worried about low voter turnout in August but he was hopeful now with the November election date more residents would vote on the issue. Also with increased time to campaign Peckman hoped more residents would become interested in the issue. The new commission would not add to the city budget, it would be entirely funded by grants and donations.[10]
Official Campaign Begins
This measure was officially titled Initiative 300. Proponents of the measure created a website and printed a newspaper to distribute. The website and the printed newspaper cited facts about UFOs, government cover ups and other information they deemed pertinent to the voting on the issue.[11] The leader of the campaign, Jeff Peckman, said he felt that there was wide support for the issue.[12] While campaigning, Peckman stressed that the commission would not be paid for by tax money but instead would be funded by grants and donations. Peckman also wrote the voter's guide to inform voter's on the issue.[13]
The opposition, Mission for Inhibiting Bureaucracy (or M.I.B), also registered with the city and created a web site which listed their main points of contention.[14] They argued that the city budget director had stated there were required costs of the commission. If donations were not forthcoming the costs would have to be covered by taxpayers. The MIB also pointed out that belief in extraterrestrials visiting Denver is a belief system and that the Denver City Government should not be used as a platform for promoting a belief system.[15]
See also
- The Colorado Independent, "Denver extraterrestrial ballot initiative: These illegals are also inhuman," October 29, 2010
- The Denver Post, "An E.T. conspiracy theory," October 28, 2010
- LA Times Blog, "Denver's Initiative 300: An Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission," October 26, 2010
- The Examiner, "Skeptics bungle attack on Initiative 300 ET Affairs Commission," October 24, 2010
- Denver League of Women Voters, "2010 Ballot Issues - Pro/Con," October 15, 2010
- The Examiner, "2010 extraterrestrial disclosure wave surges around UN, nuclear shutdowns, Denver ET/UFO vote," September 27, 2010
- Exo News, "UFO Uprising concert in Denver coincides with extraterrestrial Ballot Initiative," September 18, 2010
- Tucson Citizen, "Denver’s ‘Initiative 300′ on the ballot: The ‘Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission’," September 3, 2010
- Technorati, "Denver Green Lights UFO Ballot Initiative for November Election," June 21, 2010
- The Examiner, "Stephen Hawking partly in line with Denver UFO initiative," April 27, 2010
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Denver County, November election results
- ↑ West World, "UFO backer Jeff Peckman's alienated by complaints about his ballot initiative," December 2, 2009
- ↑ [1] Christopher N. Osher and Kyle Glazier "Denver voters shoot down otherworldly measure" The Denver Post, November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010
- ↑ Associated Content, "August 2010 Denver Ballot Urges Electorate to Vote for an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission," December 4, 2009
- ↑ The Examiner, "Denver August 2010 ET ballot initiative places next step in extraterrestrial disclosure on voters," December 22, 2009
- ↑ Denver Elections Division, "Ballot Initiative 300 language," "October 15, 2010
- ↑ Registered Opposition Statement, "Reasons to Vote No on 300," October 15, 2010
- ↑ Denver Post, "Colo. voters to decide taxes, marijuana issues," October 20, 2010
- ↑ Denver Post, "Pitch for UFO panel: Get with the beat,"March 5, 2010
- ↑ Denver Westword Blogs, "ET, phone home: UFO initiative moves to Denver's November ballot," June 15, 2010
- ↑ The Examiner, "Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission 'Initiative 300' campaign begins," September 2, 2010
- ↑ The Denver Daily News, "Peckman launches educational campaign on ET commission initiative," September 3, 2010
- ↑ The Denver Post, "Denver set for UFO vote," September 28, 2010
- ↑ MIB, "Official Opposition web site," October 15, 2010
- ↑ AOL News, "Denver Voters Will Decide on Proposed E.T. Affairs Office," October 14, 2010
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