Szabo Proposal Moves to the Floor

Bill Would Eliminate the Need for a Law Degree to Understand State Ballot Measures

DENVER—The House State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee gave bipartisan support to make Colorado’s ballot measures easier to understand.

House Bill 1304 will require statewide initiated and referred measures to avoid technical jargon, and use accurate, clear and coherent language that most voters can understand. 

“You shouldn’t need a law degree to understand the ballot measures your voting on,” said bill sponsor, State Rep. Libby Szabo, R-Arvada.  “House Bill 1304 simply requires that all statewide ballot measures be written in plain language so everyone can understand what they are voting for or against.”

The measure is so popular that many Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, including: State Reps. Lois Court of Denver; Ed Casso of Commerce City; Rhonda Fields of Aurora; Deb Gardner of Boulder; Millie Hamner of Frisco; Andy Kerr of Lakewood; Pete Lee of Colorado Springs; Cherylin Peniston of Westminster; Su Ryden of Aurora; Su Schafer of Wheat Ridge; Angela Williams of Denver and Roger Wilson of Glenwood Springs.   

Democrat Michael Johnston of Denver joins Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs, and Kevin Grantham, R-Canon City, as a co-sponsor in the State Senate.    

 “It is our hope that with ballot measures that are accurate and easier to understand, more people will be encouraged to vote,” added Szabo.     

House Bill 1304 now moves to the House for further discussion.

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