Dear ,
Today, the Unite America Institute released a new report that reveals fewer than one in five eligible Colorado voters actively shape the outcomes of crucial races for the U.S. House and State Legislature.
The report outlines how “Colorado’s Primary Problem” suppresses the will of the majority and punishes cooperation on important issues, a worrying dynamic given that the state’s legislature is ranked the most polarized in the country.
Key Insights:
Limited Competition: In 2022, 75% of Colorado's U.S. House and 84% of state house races were safe for either Democrats or Republicans, making general elections predictable and emphasizing the primary as the decisive election.
Low Voter Turnout: Only 18% of eligible voters participated in consequential U.S. House races, and the turnout for state house elections was even lower at 13%.
The report comes on the heels of a highly partisan legislative session and a month before Colorado’s June primaries. As the report notes, primaries are pivotal; in many districts, the primary results virtually decide the general election outcomes well before November. This phenomenon — The Primary Problem — underscores the urgency of understanding the entrenched issues within our current electoral system.
The good news? Change is on the horizon. There are several ballot measures that would introduce an all-candidate primary with a majority-winner general election. These updates promise to increase voter participation and reduce political dysfunction, leveraging lessons from other states that have seen more competitive and effective governance through similar systems.
Check out the full report to learn more! And remember to follow our tracker to see how The Primary Problem unfolds nationwide throughout the primary season.
Onward,
Alana Persson
Communications Associate
