Week 3: Minimizing Electronic Ballot Return

Dear Colorado Voter,

Happy 303 Day, especially to those of you who have a phone number with Colorado area code 303! Fittingly, we just finished week 3 of the campaign.

I spent much of this past week analyzing bills in the Colorado legislature. Yesterday I was at the state Capitol for about 5 hours, watching the House floor debate on the elections omnibus bill (HB26-1113) and then testifying for better representation on HB26-1203. Unfortunately, the proportional representation option was removed from HB26-1203; not helping was the fact that a lot of incorrect election information was presented at the bill hearing. I'm sorry to say that nobody from the Secretary of State's office was at the hearing to provide accurate information.

Senate Bill 26-119 Authorize Local Electronic Ballot Return is another bill I'm watching. I've been concerned about widespread electronic ballot return for a long time. Many people bank electronically these days, but voting is different! First, your ballot should be private and no longer tied to you once your ballot is accepted to be counted. In contrast, banking transactions are tied to the customer during the entire process. Second, electronic transactions are susceptible to hacking and less secure than paper transactions. Banks are willing to accept the hacking risks and possible loss of money as the cost of doing business in the modern world.

Electronic ballot return should be limited to only necessary cases to prevent voter disenfranchisement (e.g., overseas voters) or to provide access to a private ballot (e.g., blind voters). Five years ago, I worked diligently to amend SB21-188. Without the amendment, one-sixth (~17%) of the electorate could have returned an electronic ballot! The margin of victory in many elections is less than 17 percentage points so, under the original bill, results from those elections could have been called into question.

Moving from policy issues to the campaign trail! Please join me in Littleton on Saturday for a 1pm South Platte River Walk and/or spending time at the iconic Breckenridge Brewery Farm House beginning at 1:30pm. I especially appreciate you spreading the word about my candidacy and encouraging everyone you know to meet me at events. Please see the events listing on the website for information about upcoming events.

Many thanks to Maggie and Marc Sobel for hosting a great Meet and Greet on Sunday!

If you want campaign news more often than once a week, please follow the campaign on social media. See the bottom of any website page https://www.celeste4sos.com/ for links to our social media.

With enthusiasm and purpose,

Celeste