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Task Force flags El Paso County vacancy election limits and highlights Utah open‑replacement experiment
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Summary
Members raised concerns about an El Paso County vacancy election that limited candidates and voters by party registration, calling it likely unconstitutional; the group also heard about an alternative open replacement process in Utah and an approval‑voting pilot referenced by the Forward Party.
Task Force members flagged two vacancy election approaches with contrasting procedures and legal issues.
Facilitator Celeste Landry described a recent El Paso County vacancy election run under language she cited as "House Bill 25 13 19" that limited candidates to Republicans and restricted the electorate to Republicans and unaffiliated voters. "They disenfranchise Democrats and voters registered with minor parties," Landry said, adding that the rule is likely unconstitutional and would require litigation to overturn.
The group also heard a brief description from Wendy of a Utah experiment in which a legislator who switched party affiliation prompted an open, competitive replacement process rather than a party boss appointment; presenters pointed listeners to 11chooses.com and utahapproves.org for more information.
Landry asked the Task Force to revisit vacancy election procedures in a future meeting and signaled concern about similar laws being proposed elsewhere. Participants noted that constitutional concerns would require court challenges and that such litigation is costly.
