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Election Reform |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SENATOR BRUCE CAIRNS Feb. 12, 2002 303-866-3432 303-693-6089 Contact: Darin Goens 303-866-2195 COLORADO STATE SENATE STATE CAPITOL DENVER 80203 MEDIA ADVISORY TO: Interested Media FROM: Darin Goens WHO: State Sen. Bruce Cairns, R-Aurora WHAT: Local Government Partisan Elections -- Senate Bill 164 WHERE: Senate Committee Hearing Room 354 WHEN: 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6 Denver -- State Sen. Bruce Cairns, R-Aurora, will present a bill to the Senate Veterans and Military Relations, and Transportation Committee Wednesday designed to generate interest in elections by making them partisan. Senate Bill 164 is designed to accomplish two goals. Cairns hopes to increase participation in local elections that have suffered from low voter turnout by getting political parties and grassroots groups more involved in candidate recruitment and "get-out-the-vote" drives. The Aurora Republican also says that holding the election on a unified general election date will spur more turnout. "The sum of the whole is greater than its parts," said Cairns. Cairns noted that some elections weren't contests at all, as incumbents went unopposed, largely because of a lack of interest. "The effectiveness of our representative democracy depends on people going to the polls and voting," said Cairns. "If we elevate the interest in these elections, we'll attract more quality candidates and give people a real choice. The quality of our government is only as good as those who choose to be leaders." The bill would include elections for cities, school boards and special districts. "This is a win-win opportunity. Some folks who usually vote in special or local elections can now be part of the General Election Day, and those just participating in Generals will also be challenged to participate in local elections." Senator Bruce Cairns represents Senate District 28 which includes the city of Aurora and portions of Arapahoe County. Cairns serves on the Senate Education Committee. -30- |