March 14, 2017
Jasmine Nelson
Elections seem to be never-ending. We just voted in the U.S. presidential elections, and the UCCS student body will elect several Student Government Association positions, including president and vice president, this week.
On April 4, Colorado Springs will be vote on six city council positions and three ballot measures.
The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) estimated a 59 percent voting rate in UCCS students during the 2012 presidential election, and a 38 percent voting rate during the 2014 midterm election.
Ballots were mailed out March 10, and can be dropped off at various locations until 7 p.m. April 4. For more information, call the city clerk’s office at 385-5901.
These are the ballot measures to be voted on in the 2017 Municipal Election, according to the Colorado Springs Election Notice.
Issue 1—Amendment of city charter, sale of utilities
This amendment would require 60 percent of voters to approve the sale of a substantial amount of Colorado Springs’ utilities by the city, rather than the 50 percent majority vote currently required. These utilities include the water system, electric system and gas system.
Issue 2—Excess revenue for stormwater projects
This measure, proposed by Mayor John Suthers, in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filing a lawsuit against the city of Colorado Springs for violating a federal stormwater permit, according to the Gazette.
This proposed measure would commit $6 million in excess revenue from the 2016 fiscal year exclusively toward stormwater projects in Colorado Springs.
This measure would apply to the 2017 fiscal year as well, and would not be accomplished by raising taxes.
Issue 3—Exemption from state broadband law
This measure would exempt Colorado Springs from Senate Bill 152, which prevents municipalities from collaborating with broadband service providers, or providing or facilitating highspeed internet service without a public referendum.
SB 152 was passed in 2005, and has been criticized as outdated and an inconvenience, according to the Denver Post.