Secretary Coffman’s Statement on Senate Bill 46

January 17, 2007 - The following testimony was submitted today by Department of State staff on behalf of Secretary of State Mike Coffman to the Senate’s State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee regarding Senate Bill 46. SB 46 would enter Colorado into an agreement to elect the President and Vice President of the United States by national popular vote.

In 2004, Colorado voters clearly voiced their position on a similar issue when they overwhelmingly voted NO on Amendment 36, which would have proportionally allocated presidential electors in Colorado.

65% of Coloradans voted NO on Amendment 36.

Regarding an issue of this importance – that affects how Coloradans elect their Commander-in-Chief – and when the will of the people has so clearly been expressed at the ballot box, Secretary Coffman believes that the people’s position should be upheld.

If this issue is to be revisited, it is the Secretary’s view that the only appropriate venue for such a debate is at the ballot box once again, in the form of a referendum.

Secretary Coffman strongly urges a NO vote on Senate Bill 46.

“The voters soundly defeated an initiative to abolish the Electoral College in Colorado,” Secretary Coffman said. “In my judgment, it would be inappropriate for the legislature to supersede that clear message from voters by passing Senate Bill 46.”