[announce-gpco] RELEASE: GREEN PARTY OF COLORADO ENDORSES AMENDMENT 36

[Lanny Kness]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 26, 2004

Media Contact: Kirstin Marr, 303-870-0293

DENVER, CO  -- The Green Party of Colorado (GPCO) announced today its
endorsement of Amendment 36 - Selection of Presidential Electors. The =
Green
Party of Colorado believes in electoral laws that support one person, =
one
vote and not our current winner-take-all system for selecting the
Presidential candidate.

The US Constitution lays out the Electoral College, but deeds to each =
State
legislature the right to determine for itself how their electors are
selected. Colorado's Constitution includes a provision that preserves to =
the
people the power of initiative. =93This structure is what allows for =
ballot
initiatives. Therefore, this ballot initiative is legal. We believe =
Colorado
should follow the lead of Maine and Nebraska, which divides electoral =
votes
and rejects the winner-take-all system. This is more consistent with =
Green
values,=94 explained Lanny Kness, Colorado Green Party Co-Chair.

The Green Party works for several important electoral reforms, including
Instant Runoff Voting. =93We want policies and laws in place that =
motivate
citizens to vote, because they realize that every vote actually does =
count.
Amendment 36 also improves the chance of minor political parties to gain
recognition by earning electors,=94 said Bruce Meyer, Denver Green =
running for
CO State House District 4.

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of Colorado
www.coloradogreens.org

Ballot Initiative:=20
http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/initrefr.nsf/89fb842d0401c52087256cbc006=
506
96/69836dccc258499287256e9200650532/$FILE/Amendment%2036%20-%20Presidenti=
al%
20Electors.pdf

Blue Book Analysis:=20
http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/initrefr.nsf/89fb842d0401c52087256cbc006=
506
96/69836dccc258499287256e9200650532/$FILE/ATTKCLM4/2003-2004%20%2399.pdf

Supporting website:=20
http://www.makeyourvotecount.com=20

How the Electoral College Works=20
http://www.fec.gov/pages/ecworks.htm
#=20