Senate Approves Bipartisan Winter Bill to Help Ensure Ballot Access for Candidates With Disabilities

Winter: “This bill will eliminate those barriers and help ensure that every Coloradan who wants to is able to participate in our democracy and make their voice heard.”

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, that would help ensure ballot access for candidates with disabilities earned Senate approval today.

Also sponsored by Senator Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, HB24-1067 would improve representation in government by addressing barriers candidates with disabilities face when trying to access the ballot, including a lack of remote participation options.

“Representation in government matters, but far too often folks are barred from participating in our political process due to barriers that prevent them from doing things like attending caucuses or party assemblies,” Winter said. “This bill will eliminate those barriers and help ensure that every Coloradan who wants to is able to participate in our democracy and make their voice heard.”

The legislation would require that the caucus or similar process remain an option to make it more accessible for people with disabilities to run for office. The bill would also require a precinct caucus or party assembly to offer a video conferencing participation option, unless they do not have access to broadband, in which case a telephone conferencing option would be required.

HB24-1067 will now move back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments. Track the bill’s progress HERE.