Proposition 131, appearing on Colorado’s 2024 ballot, proposes a significant overhaul of the state’s primary and general election system. Currently, Colorado uses a semi-closed primary system, where party-affiliated voters and unaffiliated voters can participate in primaries, but only within a selected party. Proposition 131 would change this by introducing an all-candidate or “top-four” primary system. All candidates from any party would appear on the same primary ballot, and voters could select any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. The top four vote-getters would then advance to the general election, potentially including multiple candidates from the same party.
The general election would utilize ranked-choice voting (RCV). In this system, voters rank their preferred candidates. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and those votes are redistributed according to the voters’ next preferences. This process continues until one candidate secures a majority.
We are in opposition to this proposition. The cost of implementing ranked choice voting is expected to increase substantially and the ability to audit the results will be significantly impaired at a time when voters have reduced confidence in the integrity of our election processes and results. Neither the jungle primary or ranked choice voting are a solution to election integrity concerns or the deep divisions currently created in partisan elections.
Here are some additional resources to help guide you in your decision: