A Feb. 2 letter urging vote “no” on 300 should be carefully examined. Accompanying rationale appears misleading.

People of the USA voice their will in two ways: electing representatives and holding those representatives responsible to represent them. Ballot 300 is not a “back-door” approach to seize power; just one attempt people have made to increase their opportunity to be heard by their representatives.

Ten percent of registered voters’ signatures is the minimum city requires to amend its charter. The charter doesn’t need defending; no one is attacking it. Plus, no small group of people signed the petition bringing Ballot 300 before us all. That same paragraph is incomplete, for its verbiage asserts the off-term election itself would cut required petition signature numbers in half. It would not.

That a special election for 300 is now required forces nothing but an opportunity for people to vote on the question. If a majority votes “yes,” the required number of signatures would return the city to Colorado’s legislative requirements for citizen ballot access.

The reason Ballot Question 300 came about bears repeating. It is the “deaf ear” municipal officials continue giving residents’ quality of life pleas; meanwhile, continuing to advance the special interests of real estate developers. Costs of this election squarely rest with council itself for refusing to give residents the same opportunity to advance citizen led referenda and initiatives as the State of Colorado grants everyone else.

The narrative’s argument actually flips reality on its head. It’s no secret that well funded pro-development and growth interests hold sway before council and the city’s community development structure. To regard neighborhood residents as special interests is therefore unconscionably disrespectful.

Ballot 300 is about restoring ballot access for citizen led measures intended to turn around or stop adverse municipal actions (referenda) and/or pursue actions that are being neglected (initiatives).

The last paragraph falsely states, Littleton is a representative democracy. It is not. For a little civics 101, Article IV Section 4 of the Constitution states: “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of government …” This means all voices count; and Colorado, with its various municipalities, is included.

That anyone would be fearful of registered voters making their will known at the ballot box should itself be a cause for grave concern. So vote “yes” on 300.

Don Bruns

Littleton