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Colorado Ballot Outcomes: What You Need to Know

Colorado Ballot Outcomes: What You Need to Know

Colorado has become a purple swing state in recent years, and the results from the 2016 election reflect the varied interests of Coloradans.

The presidential race was close, but the 9 electoral votes went to Hillary Clinton with 47 percent of the vote. The Congressional race was mixed, with Democrat Michael Bennet returning to the Senate while three Democrats and four Republicans were elected to the House. Many of the pro-equality champions endorsed by One Colorado won their races and have vowed to stand up for our families at the state Capitol, but we were unable to gain a pro-equality majority in Colorado’s State Senate, putting several important rights and protections for Colorado’s queer community in jeopardy.

Several constitutional amendments and proposals also presented a mixed bag for voters. Three proposed amendments to the state constitution garnered media attention this year, and they proved to be divisive.

Amendment T, which proposed altering the constitution to eradicate slavery as a criminal punishment, failed to pass with 49.3 percent of the vote.The “No” vote leads by 1 point with all precincts reporting.

Rep. Joe Salazar, who helped push the amendment through the legislature, believes that the confusing language on the ballot may have contributed to the failure of the measure, according to the Colorado Independent.

“I’m just really in utter shock,” Salazar told Colorado Independent.

Amendment 70 advocated for increasing the minimum wage to $12 by 2020 through yearly increases. The measure passed with 54.7 percent of the vote. As seen by protests and strikes by groups like Fight for 15 and Colorado WINS, raising the minimum wage has proven to be controversial in both traditionally blue and red states.

Amendment 69, which had the support of former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, failed to pass, with only 21 percent of Colorado voters in favor. Dubbed “ColoradoCare,” the amendment would’ve overhauled the state’s current health care system.

Another proposed amendment concerning increasing taxation on tobacco products was defeated with 53.5 percent of Colorado citizens voting against.

Three propositions of particular interest were passed, although Proposition 106 was the only one that appeared controversial to voters. Prop 106 passed with 64.6 percent of the vote, and has started the process of legalizing medical-assisted suicide in Colorado.

Proposition 107 and 108 concerned the presidential primary and unaffiliated voters. This election was distinct in Colorado for the high emotion of voters throughout the primary race; the controversy surrounding the competition between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders across the state infuriated voters who saw themselves trapped in a two-party system. Propositions 107 and 108 appear to be a direct result of the frustration as they make it possible for nonaffiliated voters to cast their ballot without registering with a particular party.

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