Colorado Republicans Continue to Vote Against Election Certification Ahead of November

Following the local elections in Colorado this past November, a Republican Party official from the state urged local board members to reject the certification of the election results. Ron Hanks, who heads the Colorado GOP’s election integrity unit, claimed, “Nothing has changed since the 2020 elections,” labeling Colorado as “a playground for election manipulators” and alleging “systemic fraud,” although he did not provide supporting evidence for his claims.

Consequently, Republicans on five local canvass boards opted against certifying the election results. Despite these dissenting votes, the majority of board members ultimately certified the results. Hanks, a former state lawmaker who unsuccessfully campaigned for a congressional seat, stated that rejecting the certification was a strategic move leading into the 2024 elections. He characterized the local elections as a “practice run,” asserting that upholding their credibility relied on resisting what he termed the corruption of the current voting process.

This situation in Colorado is part of a broader trend across the nation, where local Republican officials continue to challenge the certification of election results. Many of these officials have voiced skepticism about the 2020 presidential election and are perceived as trial running their strategies to discredit forthcoming presidential elections.

Rick Hasen, a political science professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, indicated that such tactics might serve as a means to delay the electoral process or influence the outcome in closely contested elections. With Kamala Harris seeking Colorado’s 10 electoral votes for the upcoming election, the stakes are particularly high. Down-ballot races for the House of Representatives are also fiercely competitive, with moderate Democrats aiming to capture open seats in key districts.

Election certification in Colorado involves local canvass boards consisting of three members: an appointee from the Democratic Party, one from the Republican Party, and either the elected county clerk or a designated representative. Historically, the outvoted Republican members have consistently raised opposition to certification without much backing.

The Colorado Republican Party has encouraged its members to make decisions based on the information presented to them as canvassing board members. Party Chairman Dave Williams emphasized that while election results are a primary consideration, some members may find it challenging to endorse what they perceive as a flawed process.

In November, Republican board members in key urban areas like Boulder and Colorado Springs voted against certifying results for city council and school board positions. Similar “no” votes were observed during the primary elections in March and June. John Barrett, a Republican member from Boulder County, asserted his decision not to certify June’s local election results wasn’t influenced by the party but was based on concerns regarding signature verification training and ballot security.

Candice Stutzriem, another Republican member who cast votes against certification in numerous elections, expressed doubts regarding the verification of each voter behind the ballots and raised issues about the reliability of voting machines—claims often echoed by supporters of Trump yet debunked by election watchdogs.

The justifications provided for opposing the certification predominantly focus on concerns surrounding election management rather than asserting evidence of fraud capable of altering results. Colorado county clerks, who largely have partisan roles, have joined Democrats in certifying the elections.

Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, pointed to the election denial movement’s testing of various tactics and strategies over recent years to sow confusion and disruption. He noted that most county clerks identify as Republicans and have actively participated in certifying elections.

In Jefferson County, local officials have pushed back against Republican representative Nancy Pallozzi’s objections concerning certification, arguing that her claims lack coherence and appear politically motivated.

Nationwide, it has become increasingly common for local boards to delay or reject certification. Since 2020, instances of refusals to certify have occurred over three dozen times across various states, encompassing contests from presidential to local school board elections. Although dissenters typically do not form a majority, these actions test the stability of the electoral process.

While historical instances of successful refusal remain rare, there is a possibility that local opposition could impede the statewide certification process required to finalize results and assign electoral votes. This scenario could trigger constitutional processes that shift the election outcome away from the electorate.

Colorado has enacted measures safeguarding against potential disruptions in the certification process. A law permits the secretary of state to intervene and certify elections if local canvass boards fail to do so. Current Secretary of State Jenna Griswold has pledged to monitor county elections and ensure adherence to standards.

The legislative landscape has evolved, clarifying the authority of state officials in certifying elections. While some states grapple with officials resisting certification, others have already seen attempts to remove or hold accountable those refusing to act responsibly.

Amidst these developments, advocacy groups emphasize the importance of ensuring that each vote counts, warning that failure to certify could disenfranchise voters. The scrutiny and challenges faced by local canvass boards reflect a larger trend of skepticism towards the electoral process and highlight a pressing need for safeguards to uphold democratic principles.

Source: USA TODAY