Referenda B

Referenda B,C,D face little opposition

Oct. 12, 2000

BY MATT GLECKMAN
Journal Staff Writer

Amidst an array of confusing and controversial ballot items, referendums B, C, and D have received little attention, largely because they face little opposition.

Referendum B: Legislative Reapportionment Timetable.

If approved by voters, Referendum B would move the start of the legislative reapportionment process from July 1 to April 15.

During the reapportionment process an 11-member commission will redraw the boundaries of the state Senate and the House of Representatives in order. This is to re-align the boundaries according to new population figures

Supporters of the proposal say moving up the deadlines will give commission members more time to develop a preliminary plan and allow the public to become more involved.

Proponents say allowing roughly nine weeks for the court process is more realistic than the six weeks that are currently provided.

No organized opposition exists against Referendum B.

Referendum C: Selection of County Surveyors.

This would give counties the ability to appoint or elect a county surveyor. The referendum would also allow the state legislature to determine when and how the surveyor position is to be appointed or elected.

Proponents say the role of the county surveyor has changed from a political position to a more technical one. Today the job requires expertise in research, technology and local history, supporters say. As a result, it is becoming harder to get qualified candidates to run for such a position.

Providing more options for filling the surveyor position would ease some of these problems for counties, backers say.

Those opposed say if counties begin appointing surveyors, voters could be deprived of their right to elect the county surveyor of their choice, and counties could be faced with additional costs.

Referendum D: Outdated Constitutional Provisions.

If approved, this would allow for the removal of outdated and irrelevant information from the Colorado Constitution.

Supporters say the constitution is cluttered with language regarding one-time events, public offices that no longer exist and provisions that have long been expired.

Opponents say such items have a historical significance and removing them would change the character of the constitution.