Cracks don dey show for Colorado political system wey dey select candidates. Na serious matter wey make former Republican pundit Mario Nicolais and ex-Democratic legislator Doug Friednash talk say dis caucus/assembly system don near finish.
Dis system wey dey control how parties choose dem candidates don dey wobble. True talk, dem get legal way wey candidates fit use bypass dis process by petition direct for ballot. But dis route na only for aspirants or incumbents wey no too sure of dem support for primary contest.
Independent candidate chance dey slim pass. But as unaffiliated voters don pass 50% of Colorado electorate, people don begin ask if two-party system still make sense. Democratic or Republican party na just 15% of statewide voters. Na only one-sixth of registered voters dey select candidates wey go face all voters.
E worse pass dat because na small-small fraction of party activists dey attend caucuses and run as delegates for county and statewide assemblies. Na dem dey judge prospective nominees.
Dem open primary elections for unaffiliated voters with hope say e go attract moderate candidates. But e no clear if dis change don reduce extreme right or left nominees. Colorado Republicans don see am before say allow extreme activists control nominating process na disaster prescription.
E don pass ten years since Colorado Republican win statewide election. Instead of reform dem rules, party dey fight inside demself. Democrats wey get majority dey tempted by similar excesses. Both parties dey lose members to “independent” status.
E hard to avoid conclusion say something dey wrong for system. Both Democrats and Republicans love Colorado but dem see democracy no dey deliver quality life wey dem want — affordable, equitable, fair and compassionate.
If our politics don spoil, how we go fix am without fight? Una know say unaffiliated majority deserve at least half seat for table. Opposition to dis idea fit unite our two parties. But all stakeholders deserve make dem hear dem.
Unfortunately, theories for repair plenty pass political voices. Some want change election rules with ranked-choice voting and jungle primaries. Others dey talk public campaign funding. Third party advocates dey but evidence no show say e go work without parliamentary democracy.
Colorado get largest constitution among 50 states, so constitutional convention get appeal but e no go quick fix. Canadians Peter Macleod and Richard Johnson for dem book “Democracy’s Second Act” dey support citizens’ councils and randomly selected legislative assemblies — return decision making to local level.
Discuss dis alternatives no go easy or quick. Our neighbor New Mexico don get organization wey dem call New Mexico First for nearly two decades. Dem dey hold two-day seminars with regular citizens to examine issues before legislature.
Saturday na tutorial with expert briefings on subject: budgets, health care, prisons and childcare. Dem sessions lead to specific recommendations wey dem send to legislators. Prioritizing childcare make New Mexico become first state to offer universal, affordable childcare centers.
Restructure Colorado politics go require similar effort. Neither Democrats alone nor partnership with Republicans na proper sponsor. Our universities fit make expert advice available. Private sector fit help fund costs of convening and staffing discussions.
Legislature fit assist by formally authorizing and recognizing such effort. But dis kind initiative fit become “forced march to predetermined conclusion” wey dey undermine public faith for convenors neutrality. Dat na why administration suppose dey for professional staff hands.
Status quo dey become increasingly unacceptable. When I attend my first Colorado caucus for 1974, e hold for Joe Vinnola house with residents of my precinct. For next six years, four of us go carry our one wheelchair-bound voter enter living room where caucus dey hold.
By 1980s, caucuses don move go accessible public buildings, usually schools for Denver case. Dis one work fairly well and offer opportunity to confer and gossip with attendees from nearby neighborhoods for legislative district.
This year, Arapahoe County conduct im caucuses inside Zoom network. Since I dey travel, system refuse allow me enter my meeting. Others face denial for unknown and apparently unknowable reasons. Vote counting software reportedly fail for many precincts.
For Democratic Assembly for Pueblo last weekend, registration lines wind around block at Memorial Hall. Ballot tallies run late well. Participation na more ordeal than pep rally. Republicans go meet for Pueblo next weekend under shadow of departing party chair wey dem dey remove.
Republicans be my adversaries. Na other Democrats be my political enemies. For 1972, dem tell me say Democrats supporting George McGovern overturn Mike Pompnio, North Denver Democrat, wey be close to urban “boss” as city ever see.
He deliver Colorado delegation to John Kennedy for 1960, making am only western state wey fail endorse LBJ. When Interstate 70 route through north Denver, dem place exit at Pecos Street and 46th Avenue where Pomponio operate im DX gas station.
More than 200 homes dem plow under interstate as part of dis political favor. Positive message for dis tale na even caucus machine fit remove — but e demand heavy lift.
As political parties don lose dem clout, participation don wither well. Caucus attendance sometimes so small dem no fit fill dem allotted delegate slots for county convention.
For age of social networks, doom scroller know more about local politics than im precinct organizer. Though this year Pueblo meetings fit be last, hope still dey. Colorado shift to all-mail balloting na bipartisan initiative.
With both parties sinking, e time to share bail buckets. Miller Hudson na public affairs consultant and former Colorado legislator.
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