The El Paso County Democratic Party recommends a clear No on Proposition 131, and what a tangled web it is, my dear readers. While the idea of ranked-choice voting might sound innovative, this initiative is a convoluted scheme brought to us by none other than wealthy businessman Kent Thiry. Yes, the same Thiry who loves to toss his millions around our elections like confetti at a ball, hoping to reshape Colorado politics in his image.
Under this proposal, we’d face a confusing new system where voters rank candidates in some races, while using the traditional method for others. The result? One unnecessarily complicated ballot that could leave voters scratching their heads, invalidating votes, or worse—suppressing turnout, especially in communities already underrepresented. Even the experts at Ranked Choice Voting Colorado have chosen to remain neutral, given how flawed this plan is.
And let’s not forget the lack of proper risk-limiting audits for this system—an alarming oversight when it comes to election security. So, instead of handing over our democratic process to the whims of one man’s wallet, let’s vote No on Proposition 131 and demand a more thoughtful, tested approach to electoral reform.
