Pursuant to the requirements of section 24-4-103, C.R.S., notice of proposed rulemaking is hereby given by the Secretary of State. A rulemaking hearing will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2001, at 9:00 a.m., in Suite 1075, 1560 Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80202. All interested persons will be afforded an opportunity to be heard on the subject of amendments and additions to the "Rules Governing Elections", 8CCR 1505-1

Subject of the Proposed Rulemaking

Amendments and additions to the "Rules Governing Election" are proposed pursuant to the following statutes:

Section 1-1-107(2)(a), C.R.S., which authorizes the Secretary of State "to promulgate, publish, and distribute...such rules as the secretary of state finds necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the election laws..."

Sections 1-1-104 (9.5) and 1-2-305(3)(a), CRS, which authorize the secretary of state to identify in rules those elective offices that are a "district office of state concern" and those political subdivisions that are a "district of state concern."

Section 1-5-407 (5.3), CRS, which authorizes the secretary of state to promulgate rules as may be necessary to administer such subsection (5.3), including, but not limited to, rules specifying the group of ballot measures for purposes of numbering or reserving specific sequences of numbers for certain categories of measures.

Section 1-5-504.5, CRS, which requires the secretary of state to promulgate rules to prescribe the form of the explanation of the procedures that govern the provision of voting assistance to electors with disabilities who require such assistance pursuant to section 1-7-111, CRS

Section 1-7-907, CRS, which provides that ballot issue notices shall be prepared and mailed in substantial compliance with section 20 of article X of the state constitution, the provisions of the state election code, and the rules and regulations of the secretary of state.

Sections 1-7.5-104 (1), 1-7.5-107 (1) and (6), 1-7.5-108, and 1-7.5-108, and 1-7.5-110, CRS, which authorize the secretary of state to adopt rules governing mail ballot elections.

Section 1-10.5-102 (2), C.RS., which requires the secretary of state to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to conduct recounts.

Section 1-40-116(3) and (4), CRS, which authorizes the secretary of state to adopt rules for the examination and verification of petition signatures, including the methodology for conducting the random sample of signatures for such verification.

Section 1-40-132 (1), CRS, which authorizes the secretary of state to promulgate rules as may be necessary to administer and enforce statutory provisions that relate to initiated or referred measures and state constitutional amendments.

Copies of the proposed revisions will be available approximately February 19, 2001. At that time, copies may be obtained from t he Office of the Secretary of State, 1560 Broadway, Suite 200, Denver, Colorado 80202, telephone (303)894-2680, extension 320. Copies will be distributed free of charge. Only one copy per requesting party can be provided free, however. In addition, the proposed rule revisions will be published on the Secretary of State's Internet web site at:www.sos.state.co.us

The hearing will be held in accordance with section 24-4-103, CRS Written and oral data, views and arguments will be received from anyone interested in the rule proposed for permanent status. Written submissions must be filed at or before the time set for commencement of the hearing in order to be considered. Oral testimony may be limited in order to allow the proceedings to go forward with reasonable promptness and efficiency.