Proposition 131 fundamentally reengineers how both primary and general elections are conducted in the state of Colorado. First, it eliminates time-honored single-party nominations to the primary ballot and creates an all-new, all-candidate primary in which voters of all parties, or no parties, would participate. It also replaces the traditional one-person, one-vote general election method with automated, “instant run-off” Ranked Choice Voting.

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Voters are overwhelmingly unprepared for the sweeping changes Proposition 131 will bring to the way Colorado conducts elections. Access to the primary ballot will eliminate the role of the major parties in nominating their best candidates, replaced by the cost-prohibitive petition-on process. It will narrow the choice of candidates to those with deep pockets or to those with access to others’ deep pockets.

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With it comes the silencing of the marketplace of ideas. “Controversial” opinions not considered mainstream will no longer be promoted or financed by political interests. Without the in-person party assembly, voters will never meet the candidates or even know their names. 50 candidates can appear on a single ballot for a single race.

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The result is voters are losing their ability to most effectively choose their own leadership. We won’t choose the candidates, and the candidates will not reflect our values. Candidates that represent traditional faith, family and freedom values will face strident challenges to be heard, gain access to the ballot and be elected.