For politicians running in local elections as the political season gets underway, please tell us what party you represent. There is no such thing as a so-called nonpartisan election and truthfully, there never was such a thing. With the recent culture wars and emphasis by both major parties on winning local elections to impose their partisan views, it is more important than ever for voters to know which party these candidates represent so voters can make informed decisions.
In Colorado, the state allows candidates in cities, towns, counties, school districts, and special districts (collectively, “local governments”) to run without their political affiliation on the ballot.
I consider myself an informed voter, but with budgetary cutbacks in coverage of issues by local media and a dearth of available information, it is nearly impossible for voters to determine which party candidates represent. Claims that voters don’t need to know which party those officials belong to because they only decide issues like potholes and class size is pure fiction.
It is almost impossible to determine political affiliation in Colorado because the state charges more than $600 for the elections database, and local entities can charge for time and materials spent researching every Sunshine Law request.
Please give us the facts and let us make our own decisions.
Steven Paulson, Arvada
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