Week 36: Most media are ignoring Colorado’s unconstitutional special elections

Dear Colorado Voter,

The Denver Post made an endorsement in the Secretary of State contest on Thursday. In contrast to the other two candidates mentioned, The Denver Post was 100% positive about me (even though they endorsed someone else): “We also were impressed with Celeste Landry, the Forward Party candidate who is on the ballot. Landry understands Colorado election laws, having volunteered with the League of Women Voters. She's an advocate of Colorado's election system but also supports changes that move toward proportional representation."

I only wish The Denver Post had highlighted my signature issue: challenging the unconstitutional special elections to fill a state legislative vacancy (starting in 2027) and county commissioner vacancies in high-population counties, like El Paso County Commissioner District 5 in November 2025. For the first time in U.S. history, the government prohibited voters who belonged to the “wrong” party from voting in a special election.

The League of Women Voters of Colorado (LWVCO) filed a lawsuit against the legislative vacancy bill on May 15, 2026 – the same day that Governor Polis commuted Tina Peters’ sentence, so most people didn’t hear about the LWVCO lawsuit.

On June 30, Attorney General Phil Weiser filed a response to the LWVCO lawsuit on behalf of defendant Secretary of State Jena Griswold. I wish that Griswold and Weiser would stand on the side of Coloradans’ right to vote, but instead they are fighting against the LWVCO lawsuit. Griswold let the El Paso County commissioner election proceed in 2025.

If elected, I would announce, right after being sworn in as Secretary of State, that Colorado will not conduct these unconstitutional elections. Instead of having LWVCO sue me, the legislature can sue me if they don’t like my decision.

In January 2024, I proposed in a Colorado Sun guest opinion a constitutional way to let ALL registered voters participate in a November odd-year special vacancy election. https://coloradosun.com/2024/01/27/opinion-coloradovacancy-committee-elections/

Unfortunately, news media outlets are not asking the SoS candidates about these vacancy elections that disenfranchise voters based on party affiliation. Fortunately, I get to talk about them when asked why I am running or when given time on the Kim Monson Show, Colorado Point of View or the Colorado Springs’ City Matters podcast. Most voters are not aware of these unprecedented, unconstitutional elections, yet they are voting for Secretary of State right now! Please help spread the word that I will protect Coloradans’ right to vote!

With enthusiasm and purpose,

Celeste