Secretary Williams' statement on Amendment 71 decision

DENVER, Feb. 15, 2018 -- "More than 55 percent of Colorado voters approved Amendment 71 and we will support Colorado’s voters," Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams declared in announcing that the State will strongly respond to the court’s preliminary ruling.

Williams also noted that "Amendment 71 enjoyed widespread support across the state, passing in 60 of Colorado's 64 counties in 2016. Colorado’s voters clearly stated that there should be input from all of Colorado, not just a county or two, when amending our state constitution."

"I’m heartened that the court upheld the 55 percent threshold for constitutional amendments and believe that when the additional evidence Colorado submits is considered the court will also uphold the geographic distribution of signatures," Williams said.

Statewide signature requirements are imposed by many states, and have been found by higher courts to be constitutional for ballot initiatives and even in the case of candidates running for president of the United States.

Williams also noted that the court’s questioning of the disparity amongst Colorado’s legislative districts provides evidence for the bipartisan group led by former Secretary of State Bernie Buescher and others seeking to improve the state’s redistricting process.