The 2018 Conservation VOTER GUIDE. Be sure to vote by November 6!

Transcription

1 The 2018 Conservation VOTER GUIDE BALLOT Be sure to vote by November 6!

2 ABOUT THIS GUIDE HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE Your 2018 ballot is full of tough choices to make on candidates and initiatives, especially if you re a conservation-minded Coloradan who prioritizes protecting our environment. This independent voter guide prepared by a local nonprofit Conservation Colorado Victory Fund can help. Our voter guide evaluates candidates for Governor and Attorney General on the most important conservation issues facing our state, using their press coverage, public statements, and voting history. It also reviews ballot measures that could impact our environment and way of life, providing a yes or no recommendation. ABOUT US Conservation Colorado Victory Fund is a local, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to protect our environment and way of life. You can learn more at ConservationCO.org Paid for by Conservation Colorado Victory Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate s committee. Nikki Riedt, registered agent Conservation Colorado Victory Fund

3 GOVERNOR WHAT THIS OFFICE DOES Colorado s governor is the head of the state executive branch and approves or vetoes bills, convenes the legislature, directs state agencies, and commands the state military forces. Here are the positions of the two major party candidates for Colorado governor, in alphabetical order. JARED POLIS Democrat Current U.S. Representative for Colorado s 2nd congressional district, former member of the Colorado State Board of Education, businessman, and founder of several companies WALKER STAPLETON Republican Current Colorado State Treasurer, former investment banker and CEO for several private and public companies POLIS YES 1 YES 3 YES 5 DOES THIS CANDIDATE... Prioritize leading with renewable energy like wind and solar to cut carbon pollution? NO 2 Support a transportation system that decreases our reliance on dirty fuels and prioritizes moving people, not just cars? Support expanded protections for our communities and our environment from the dangers of oil and gas development? STAPLETON NO 4 NO 6 YES 7 YES 9 Support updating outdated water practices and acting to keep our rivers healthy and flowing? Prioritize protecting public lands for future generations and ensuring we can access these wild places? NO 8 NO 10

4 ATTORNEY GENERAL WHAT THIS OFFICE DOES The attorney general is the lawyer for the people of Colorado and can protect our natural environment, communities, and way of life by enforcing the law against polluters, working with state agencies to advance policy, and standing up to the Trump administration. Here are the positions of the two major party candidates for Colorado attorney general, in alphabetical order. GEORGE BRAUCHLER Republican Current District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District, Colonel for the Colorado Army National Guard, and adjunct professor at University of Denver Sturm College of Law PHIL WEISER Democrat Current Professor and Dean Emeritus at University of Colorado Law School and Executive Director of the Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship BRAUCHLER NO 12 NO 14 DOES THIS CANDIDATE... Support leading with renewable energy like wind and solar to cut carbon pollution? Support expanded protections for our communities and our environment from the dangers of oil and gas development? WEISER YES 11 YES 13 NO 16 NO 18 Support updating outdated water practices and acting to keep our rivers healthy and flowing? Prioritize protecting public lands for future generations and ensuring we can access these wild places? YES 15 YES 17

5 BALLOT MEASURES AMENDMENT Y AND Z Congressional and Legislative Redistricting 19 What they do: Takes politics and partisanship out of the determination of boundaries for state and federal legislative districts by allowing independent commissions to draw district lines instead of elected officials and lobbyists. We say vote YES because...voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around. Our elections should be decided by a vote, not by the way lines are drawn on a map. Independent commissions overseeing redistricting eliminates gerrymandering drawing lines to favor a party or candidate and promotes transparency and nonpartisanship in our elections. Who else says YES 20 Republicans and Democrats, including every sitting legislator League of Women Voters of Colorado ACLU, Mi Familia Vota, and New Era Colorado AMENDMENT 74 Just Compensation for Reduction in Fair Market Value by Government Law or Regulation 21 What it does: Dramatically expands property owner s ability to sue state and local governments over laws or regulations they believe have reduced their property values. We say vote NO because...it is a poorly written, risky measure that amends the state constitution to lock in special payoffs for developers (who want to build anything they like, anywhere they like) and oil and gas companies (who want to expand fracking into more neighborhoods). After a similar measure passed in Oregon, taxpayers faced nearly $20 billion in claims in just the first three years threatening funding for local schools, roads, and public safety. Who else says NO 22 Nearly 100 civic organizations, including: - Colorado Municipal League - Progress Now Colorado - Club 20 - Rocky Mountain Farmers Union 120+ local elected officials 50+ counties, cities, and towns

6 BALLOT MEASURES PROPOSITION 109 Fix Our Damn Roads - Authorize Bonds for Transportation Projects 23 What it does: Reallocates existing state funds to projects that address road and bridge expansion, construction, maintenance, and repairs; these funds are not to be used for roads managed by local governments 88 percent of all roads 24 or public transportation. We say vote NO because takes $3.5 billion away from schools, public safety, and other vital services by forcing the state to reallocate existing resources and exclusively fund highway projects. We need a transportation system that invests in solutions, not one that will cut funding for schools and healthcare. Who else says NO 25 Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Bell Policy Center PRO 15, an organization representing 15 NE Colorado counties PROPOSITION 110 Let s Go Colorado - Increase Sales Tax to Fund Transportation 26 What it does: Creates a new funding source to improve our roads, highways, and public transit systems by increasing the state s sales tax by 0.62 percent or 6.2 cents on every $10. We say vote YES because...it s been decades since we last changed how Colorado funds transportation, and we need a statewide solution to ensure we are meeting the needs of all Coloradans. 110 addresses high priority statewide needs like repairing our roads and addressing congestion, and it funds critical local priorities from sidewalks to transit options. It helps move people and not just cars and ensures we do so without jeopardizing funding for schools and other state needs. Who else says YES 22 Dozens of local chambers of commerce Over 50 elected officials and legislators Colorado AFL-CIO, Center for Health Progress, and Bicycle Colorado

7 BALLOT MEASURES PROPOSITION 112 Setback Requirement for Oil and Gas Development 28 What it does: Requires new oil and gas development projects to be located at least 2,500 feet from occupied buildings and other areas designated as vulnerable. We say vote YES because...we have long worked to increase responsibility, transparency, and accountability in the oil and gas industry, which has included efforts to increase the distance between oil and gas development and the places where we live, where our children play, and where we recreate. Yet, the industry has blocked even the most modest efforts to address the growing conflicts between its operations and our communities, such as keeping drilling and fracking away from schools. Ultimately, we must prioritize the health and safety of our communities above all else. Who else says YES 29 Colorado People s Alliance League of Oil & Gas Impacted Coloradans Over 30 elected officials COUNTING DOWN TO THE ELECTION Mark Your Calendar and Make a Voting Plan! MONDAY, OCTOBER 15th Ballots are mailed to all Colorado voters. You can mail back your ballot postage required or deposit it at a drop-box site or Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) near you. MONDAY, OCTOBER 22nd In-person voting begins. If you have not received your mail ballot by this date, you can go to any VSPC in your county to get a replacement ballot or vote in person. Find your closest VSPC at MONDAY, OCTOBER 29th Last day to register to vote or update your mailing address in order to receive a ballot in the mail. After this date, you must visit a VSPC to register to vote. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30th Recommended last day to return ballots via mail. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6th Voters must be in line by 7 PM to vote, register to vote, or vote in person. Mailballots must be turned in to election officials by 7 PM.

8 FAQ ON VOTING ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VOTING IN COLORADO WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN COLORADO? You are eligible to vote in Colorado if you: Are 18 years of age or older at the time of the election Are a United States citizen Have resided in Colorado 22 days prior to the election Are not serving a sentence of confinement, detention, or parole for a felony conviction HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE? Every eligible voter has two options for registering: Register to vote online If you have a Colorado driver s license or state-issued identification card, you can register to vote online at: If you register by Monday, October 29, you will receive a ballot in the mail. If you register after this date, you will need to visit a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) to pick up a ballot or vote in person. Find your closest VSPC at: Register to vote in person Starting on Monday, October 22, you can visit any VSPC in your county to register to vote and cast a ballot. You can register to vote up to and on Election Day, November 6, but be sure to get in line before the VSPC closes at 7 PM. HOW DO I VOTE? Every person who is registered to vote in the state of Colorado has two options for voting: Vote by mail Every voter registered by October 29 should receive a ballot in the mail beginning on Monday, October 15. If you have not received your ballot by Monday, October 22, you can go to any VSPC in your county to get a replacement ballot or vote in person. You can return your ballot by mail - remember to include postage; it takes 2 stamps! All ballots must be received by 7 PM on Election Day, November 6, Postmarks DO NOT count. The recommended last day to mail your ballot is Tuesday, October 30, You can deposit your ballot at a drop box or VSPC near you. Vote in person If you did not receive a ballot in the mail, lost or ruined your mail ballot, or want to vote in person, visit any VSPC in your county of residence. HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? To learn more about voting in Colorado, and your rights as a voter, visit: You can also call the voter hotline with any problems or questions at: ENGLISH : 866-OUR-VOTE SPANISH : 888-VE-Y-VOTA Just Vote! Colorado Election Protection is a non-partisan voter assistance project and is not affiliated with or promoting any party, candidate, or ballot issue. Just Vote! Colorado is not affiliated with or responsible for the content of this piece.

9 ENDNOTES 1. Jared Polis, Energy Policy, PolisForColorado.com, 2018: 2. Walker Stapleton, Energy and Land, StapletonForColorado.com, 2018: 3. Jared Polis, Transportation, PolisForColorado.com 2018: 4. Walker Stapleton, Transportation, StapletonForColorado.com, 2018: 5. Associated Press,Stapleton, Polis And Protesters Sound Off On Their Strategies For Oil And Gas In Colorado CPR, 08/22/18: 6. Stapleton, Energy and Land 7. Jared Polis, Water, PolisForColorado.com 2018: 8. Walker Stapleton, Water, StapletonForColorado.com, 2018: 9. Jared Polis, Keep Colorado Wild PolisForColorado.com 2018: Stapleton, Energy and Land 11. Phil Weiser, Representing Colorado and Our Clean Energy Future, PhilForColorado.com, 2018: David O. Williams, Energy, environment are crux of Colorado attorney general battle between Brauchler, Weiser The Gazette, 09/09/18: Phil Weiser, Ensuring Responsible Oil and Gas Development to Protect Coloradans, PhilForColorado.com, 2018: Michael, Sandoval, Colorado Candidates Face Off Over Oil And Natural Gas Regs, Attorney General Independence, Western Wire, 03/09/18: Phil Weiser, We Need our Next AG to Protect Colorado s Water, PhilForColorado.com, 2018: Colorado Pols, Brauchler Surprised that Water is a Huge Issue in Colorado, ColoradoPols.com, 09/11/17: Phil Weiser, Earth Day: Protecting Our Land, Air, and Water, PhilForColorado.com, 2018: 18: Conrad Swanson, Colo AG candidates trade barbs, Durango Herald, October 4, 2018: CO Secretary of State, Amendments Y and Z, sos.state.co.us, 2018: Ballotpedia, Colorado Amendment Z, Ballotpedia.org, 2018: CO Secretary of State, Amendment 74, sos.state.co.us, 2018: No on 74, Who Opposes?, 2018: CO Secretary of State, Proposition 109, sos.state.co.us, 2018: Ballotpedia, Colorado Proposition 109, Ballotopedia.org, 2018: (2018) 25. Ballotpedia, Colorado Proposition CO Secretary of State, Proposition 110, sos.state.co.us, 2018: Ballotpedia, Colorado Proposition 110, Ballotopedia.org, 2018: Sales_Tax_Increase_Initiative_(2018) 28. CO Secretary of State, Proposition 112, sos.state.co.us, 2018: Ballotpedia, Colorado Proposition 112, Ballotopedia.org, 2018: