HB 17-1281

HB 17-1281 allows local governments in Colorado to use a new voting method called "approval voting" for nonpartisan elections. Under this system, voters can support as many candidates as they like for each position, and the candidate or candidates with the most votes win. The bill also instructs the Secretary of State to provide guidance on how to implement approval voting and report back by February 15, 2020. This means that cities, towns, counties, and other local entities can start using this new voting system for their elections after November 1, 2017, if they choose to do so. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now active and local governments can begin implementing approval voting in their elections.

Official Summary

'Approval voting' is a method of voting that allows an elector to cast a vote for as many of the candidates per office as the elector chooses. The winner of each office is the candidate who receives the most votes or, for elections in which multiple candidates fill open seats, the winners are those candidates, in a number equal to the number of seats being filled, attaining the greatest number of votes. The bill authorizes cities, towns, counties, cities and counties, school districts, and special districts (collectively, 'local governments') to conduct nonpartisan elections using approval voting on and after November 1, 2017. A nonpartisan election is an election in which the political party affiliations of candidates are not printed on the ballot. The secretary of state is directed to adopt rules and provide advice to local governments regarding approval voting and to submit a report by February 15, 2020, regarding approval voting to the state, veterans, and military affairs committees of the general assembly. County clerk and recorders may decline to coordinate an election if a local government elects to employ approval voting in the election. The bill makes necessary modifications to current law occasioned by the use of approval voting, such as excluding approval voting from the definition of 'overvote' and adjusting provisions prescribing the form of ballots and automatic recount triggers. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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