[BoulderCouncilHotline] Position in support of legislation allowing ranked choice voting to be proposed for addition to Policy Statement at council's next meeting under Agenda Item 5A

[Castillo, Carl]

Good Afternoon Council Members,

Next Tuesday council will have an opportunity to consider a motion to approve the city's 2021 Policy Statement on Regional, State and Federal Issues. After the memo had been submitted for that item, Mayor Pro Tem Yates brought to my attention the possibility of adding a new position related to ranked choice voting. I believe this is a matter that council would support and that, if so, advocacy for such legislation should begin immediately. Accordingly, on Tuesday, I will propose council consider adding the following position under the section titled Democracy and Governance:

Authorize and provide the support and guidance necessary to allow Colorado counties to use ranked choice voting in their elections
In November 2020, Boulder voters approved a measure to amend the city's charter to require ranked choice voting in elections of the mayor beginning in 2023. The city relies on Boulder County to administer its elections and has been informed by the County Clerk and Recorder that the county does not have cost-effective access to the necessary software nor the authority or guidance to administer such an election. While the city apparently has the authority to run such an election independently from the county, it would be far from ideal to do so. Consequently, the city supports changes to state policy that would assist Colorado counties in securing favorable rates for the necessary software for RCV, that would expressly allow but not require its use by counties, and that would provide all requirements, specifications and guidance necessary to ensure the uniform use of RCV in all county elections.

Carl Castillo
Chief Policy Advisor
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O: # 303-441-3009
C: # 303-859-4504
castilloc at bouldercolorado.gov<mailto:castilloc at bouldercolorado.gov>

City Manager's Office
1777 Broadway | Boulder, CO 80302
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