No Statewide Measure on November 2007 Ballot

First Odd-Year Election Not to Include a Statewide Ballot Measure Since 1992’s TABOR; State Saves $1.7 million

Denver, August 6, 2007 – Secretary of State Mike Coffman announced today that no statewide measures have qualified for the November 6, 2007 ballot; the first time an odd-year election will not include a statewide ballot measure since the passage of TABOR in 1992. TABOR stipulates that only tax-related statewide measures may be considered in an odd-year election.

The Colorado Constitution states that proponents of a statewide measure must submit signatures to the Secretary of State’s office “at least three months before the general election,” or today, August 6, 2007 by 3:00 PM. The minimum number of signatures required is 76,047, or at least five percent (5%) of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the office of secretary of state at the previous general election. Of the proposed measures for the 2007 ballot – “Imposition and Distribution of Severance Tax on Oil and Gas” and “Higher Education Funding Fee on New Construction” – neither submitted signatures to the Secretary of State’s office by today’s deadline.

With no statewide measure on the November ballot, the state saves $1.7 million. Colorado law requires the Secretary of State’s office to reimburse counties “for the cost of the duties performed by the county clerk and recorder that relate to conducting the election” if there is a statewide measure on the ballot. The General Assembly set the reimbursement amount at $1,729,923; the funds would have been drawn from the Secretary of State’s cash fund.

Additional Information: Odd-Year Statewide Measures Since 1992’s TABOR: