Sunday, May 19, 2013
Casting call: Don't forget to vote
In this election season, the operative number is seven: Not only are polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, but Colorado voters will decide on seven amendments and seven referendums. Hidden amid their numbers and letters, there are some big issues, including school spending, the minimum wage, marriage and domestic partnerships.
Then, of course, there are four big statewide races, including that for governor; the battle for the 5th Congressional District slot in Washington, D.C.; and a host of state Senate and House competitions.
With so much on the line, we strongly urge every registered voter to cast a ballot. What follows is an abbreviated version of the most important El Paso County voting information, including the Independent's endorsements. (Full endorsements can be found at csindy.com.)
If you're voting absentee:
All absentee ballots must be returned to the election office either by mail or in person by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
If you're voting early:
Early voting locations are open until the end of the day Friday, Nov. 3. You may cast early votes at the following locations:
Clerk & Recorder's main office, 200 S. Cascade Ave.
Clerk & Recorder's Chapel Hills office, at the north side of the Chapel Hills Mall
Clerk & Recorder's Powers office, 5650 Industrial Place, at the southeast corner of Powers Boulevard and Airport Road
Monument Hill Church: 18725 Monument Hill Road
Fountain City Hall: 116 S. Main St.
Falcon Elementary School: 12050 Falcon Hwy.
If you're voting at the polls on Election Day:
You may vote at your polling place any time on Tuesday, Nov. 7 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
If you have it, check your voter information card to find your precinct number and polling place location. If you don't have a card, call the Election Department at 575-VOTE (8683) before Election Day.
You will need one of the following forms of identification:
A valid Colorado driver's license;
A valid identification card issued by the Department of Revenue;
A valid U.S. passport;
A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency or entity of the U.S. government or of this state, or by any county, municipality, board, authority or other political subdivision of this state;
A valid pilot's license with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by the Federal Aviation Administration or other authorized agency of the United States;
A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph;
A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address. (A cable bill, a telephone bill, documentation from a public institution of higher education in Colorado containing at least the name, date of birth and residence address if you're a student, or a paycheck from a government institution or private company are sufficient forms of ID.);
A valid Medicare or Medicaid card;
A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, or certified documentation of naturalization.
Additional information about elections can be found on the Clerk & Recorder's Web site at car.elpasoco.com. State initiatives
Amendment 38: Expanding petitioners' rights NO
Amendment 39: A mandatory school spending measure NO
Amendment 40: Establishing judicial term limits NO
Amendment 41: Banning lobbyists' gifts YES
Amendment 42: Increasing the minimum wage YES
Amendment 43: One-man, one-woman marriage NO
Amendment 44: Limited legalization for marijuana possession YES
Referendum E: Tax break for home-owning veterans NO
Referendum F: A recall petition fix NO
Referendum G: Deleting obsolete constitutional provisions YES
Referendum H: Limiting tax breaks for businesses hiring undocumented workers NO OPINION
Referendum I: Domestic partnership benefits YES
Referendum J: Another 65 percent school solution NO
Referendum K: Suing the feds over immigration NO
Priority races
5th CD: Jay Fawcett (D)
Governor: Bill Ritter (D)
Attorney general: John Suthers (R)
State treasurer: Cary Kennedy (D)
Secretary of state: Ken Gordon (D)
Senate District 9: Keely Marrs (D)
Senate District 11: John Morse (D)
House District 14: Karen Teja (D)
House District 17: Mark Cloer (R)
House District 18: Michael Merrifield (D)
House District 19: Ken Barela (D)
House District 20: Janet Hejtmanek (D)
House District 21: Anna Lord (D)
El Paso county commissioner: Wayne Williams (R)
Local initiatives
Downtown Development Authority YES
Cable competition from Falcon Broadband YES
Issue 3B: School District 14 (Manitou Springs area) YES
Colorado Springs Measure 200 NO
Colorado Springs Measure 201 NO
