Signatures for proposed ballot measures due to Colorado Secretary of State Aug. 8
DENVER, July 8, 2016 -- One month from today is the deadline for backers of proposed ballot initiatives to turn in petition signatures to try to get on the November ballot.
To get on the ballot, proponents need to submit 98,492 valid voter signatures -- 5 percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Colorado secretary of state in the last general election. The Secretary of State's office has until Sept. 7 to notify initiative supporters whether they collected enough signatures.
Colorado voters could be deciding whether to increase the cigarette tax, determine mandatory setbacks for oil-and-gas and allow unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections without first registering as a Republican or a Democrat. Earlier, high-profile liquor measures were pulled by the sponsors, and a state Supreme Court ruling nixed two redistricting proposals.
Some proposals change the state Constitution, while others change state law. Here’s a look at some measures that are currently circulating and could be on the November ballot:
Proposed constitutional amendments
- Local governance: No. 40
- Local government authority to regulate oil-and-gas development: No. 75
- Mandatory setback for oil/gas development: No. 78
- Requirements for constitutional amendments: No. 96
- State minimum wage: No. 101
- New cigarette and tobacco taxes: No. 143
Proposed propositions
- Primary elections: No. 98
- Retention of excess state revenue: No. 117
- Presidential primary election: No. 140
- Medical aid in dying: No. 145
The only measure already confirmed on the ballot is Amendment 69 or Initiative 20, State Health Care System. Backers were informed last November they had collected enough valid signatures to put what is known as "ColoradoCare" before the voters.
