The Libertarian Party of Colorado filed a lawsuit Friday challenging residency provisions in the state's new election law, but the case won't stop Tuesday's election. <\/p>\n
\"Residency issues are only the tip of the iceberg,\" state Libertarian Party Chairman Jeff Orrok said in a statement. <\/p>\n
Among the complaints, the lawsuit states that while the new law allows people to register to vote all the way to and including Election Day in state races, residency requirements in various in elections involving municipal elections, local school districts, special districts and other local races range from 20 to 30 days. <\/p>\n
By disregarding the residency requirements in some races, \"several county clerks across the state are improperly disregarding or misinterpreting those requirements and allowing ineligible voters to register or change registration address and cast ballots in political subdivision elections with longer residency requirements,\" the lawsuit states. <\/p>\n
If successful, the lawsuit could force some races to be voted on again if the affected ballots exceed the margins of victory in those races, the party stated. <\/p>\n
Orrok said the conflicts could cause election law violations and \"partially disenfranchised voters throughout the state.\" He said the new law also could create problems for ballot secrecy and voter privacy, arguments voiced by Republicans when the measure was before the Legislature in the spring. <\/p>\n
The law was passed by Democrats at the urging of the Colorado County Clerks Association primarily to mail ballots to every voter in every election, which supporters said would make elections less costly, make voting more convenient and make registration deadlines less confusing. <\/p>\n
In addition to the state Libertarian Party, plaintiffs include Republicans Lu Ann Busse of Larkspur and Victor Head, founder of Pueblo Freedom & Rights. <\/p>\n
Former state Sen. Shawn Mitchell of Broomfield, a Republican, is the lawyer for the plaintiffs. <\/p>\n
The lawsuit was filed in Denver District Court and names Secretary of State Scott Gessler and the election clerks in Pueblo, El Paso, Douglas and Arapahoe counties as defendants to represent all county clerks in Colorado. <\/p>\n
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Originally posted here: <\/p>\n
Libertarian Party files another lawsuit over new state election law<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Libertarian Party of Colorado filed a lawsuit Friday challenging residency provisions in the state's new election law, but the case won't stop Tuesday's election. Continue reading