Election 2020: Lots to Think About
Rodin’s “The Thinker” might be our guiding inspiration as we fill out our 2020 ballots!
Welcome to my 2020 Election page! I’ve included links to three other pages just to the right, to explain my opinions on State of Colorado ballot issues, City of Boulder ballot issues, and candidate races in greater depth.
No matter what, I hope you’ll vote! Colorado voters should all get a ballot in the mail in mid-October. But if you don’t, or if you have any questions about voting, remember that your County Clerk is a good first place to turn. Visit https://www.bouldercounty.org/elections/, or call (303) 413-7740. Voted ballots must be in the hands of County election locations by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. I will strongly recommend getting ballots back in the mail early, maybe even a week ahead of Election Day, or just hand-deliver them to one of the drop boxes you’ll find locations for on the County Elections webpage.
Writing and researching is hard work. Even a small donation helps. Thanks!
MY CHOICES IN BRIEF
State Ballot Issues
Proposition 113: Vote YES. A modern nation shouldn’t let a person who loses by 3 million votes win an office like the U.S. Presidency. National Popular Vote would make our future elections truly “one person, one vote.”
Proposition 114: NEUTRAL. In my opinion, there are strong reasons on both sides to support or oppose requiring Colorado to create a plan to reintroduce gray wolves.
Proposition 115: Vote NO. This would take rights away from women who are facing an incredibly difficult and personal choice. Also, Prop 115 would criminalize doctors who are providing a medical service that’s legal today.
Proposition 116: Vote NO. This is regressive tax policy that would give the greatest rewards to people who probably don’t need them, and it would hurt the state’s ability to provide services at a very difficult time.
Proposition 117: Vote NO. Enterprises provide valuable services without increasing taxes, but passing Prop 117 might mean we could be denied these services in the future without any tangible options to get things done.
Proposition 118: Vote YES. Emergencies or difficult health situations aren’t always predictable, and having a family/medical leave program would allow people to deal with problems without sacrificing all of their work income.
Proposition EE: Vote YES. Tobacco and nicotine products might lead to awful health problems, and new taxes might provide disincentives against people starting in the first place.
Amendment B: Vote YES. It’s not always great to have fiscal formulas in the Constitution, and repealing the Gallagher Amendment would ease tax burdens on small businesses, free up money in the state budget otherwise used to backfill school district needs, and give rural counties and districts a better shot at adequate funding for services.
Amendment C: Vote YES. It’s a relatively minor adjustment that might help nonprofits better staff their Bingo or raffle operations.
Amendment 76: Vote NO. It’s an unnecessary change that would also prevent 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by Election Day from voting in primaries.
Amendment 77: Vote NO. It’s a weak NO, though. It allows gaming towns to increase betting limits, which might be dangerous for people who can’t afford to lose money. But on the good side, it raises money for community colleges.
City Ballot Issues
Issue 2B: Vote YES. Eviction is likely to be a societal problem in years to come, and 2B would at least make sure tenants who might go to court will have access to attorneys.
Issue 2C: NEUTRAL. I’m neutral partially because I’ve told people I would stay that way. But there are many, many, legitimate arguments to be made for and against 2C. Please do some research.
Issue 2D: NEUTRAL. Same as 2C, except it’s not as complex an issue as 2C. FYI, 2D is dependent on 2C passing.
Issue 2E: Vote NO. To me, what’s important in a Mayor is their capacity to do a good job, and 2E does not guarantee we’ll wind up with a higher-quality Mayor than we get with our current system. Plus, in my opinion some arguments about the benefits of Ranked Choice Voting are overstated, and our County Clerk says our current voting system can’t accommodate ranked choice voting.
Issue 2F: Vote YES. Adding two members to the Arts Commission should add aggregate experience and perspective to the Commission.
Candidate Races
I’m a Democrat, and it’s no surprise I’m only endorsing Democrats, but my pages on these races will include deeper info.
President of the United States: Vote Joe Biden/Kamala Harris. Biden has a wealth of experience in federal issues, and Harris is steadily gaining experience. Trump has been a disaster, and must go.
U.S. Senate: Vote John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper has strong experience as a Mayor of Denver and Governor of Colorado. Most people reading this guide probably dislike Cory Gardner’s voting record.
U.S. House, Colorado District 2: Vote Joe Neguse. Neguse has deep experience, tremendous energy, and he shows that he takes his role as a Representative for this district seriously by showing up for as much as possible.
State Senate, District 18: Vote Steve Fenberg. Fenberg rose to a powerful position as Senate Majority Leader in only two years, and he’s sponsored some very important legislation.
State House, District 10: Vote Edie Hooton. Hooton also rose to a leadership position as House Majority Caucus Chair, and Vice Chairs the House Energy and Environment Committee.
State House, District 13: Vote Judy Amabile. This is Amabile’s first run for office, but she’s very involved in local political issues plus she’s spent decades as a local business owner.
Boulder County Commissioner, District 1: Vote Claire Levy. Levy has deep experience as a state legislator, head of the Colorado Center of Law and Policy, and as a person involved in local issues.
Boulder County Commissioner, District 2: Vote Marta Loachamin. Loachamin is a relative newcomer to the local political scene, but she’s immersed herself in civic pursuits and understands County issues.
CU Regent, District 2: Vote Callie Rennison. Rennison has deep experience in higher education, and will hit the ground running at a fairly challenging time for the CU system.