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John, Friends have been asking me where I stand on the different statewide initiatives that will be on our ballots for the upcoming November election. So, here are my thoughts on several ideas that I really like. Like you, I am only one vote, so I encourage everyone to read up on the initiatives, make a good decision, and hopefully join me in voting Yes on Amendment J, Yes on Proposition 129, and Yes on Proposition 131. Here’s why I feel that way: Amendment J: Remove the same-sex marriage ban from the state constitution Colorado’s constitution still has old language that defines marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman. If the Supreme Court were ever to reverse the decision allowing same-sex marriage, Colorado’s current constitutional prohibition on same-sex marriage would kick back in and prevent loving same-sex couples from marrying. This Amendment simply removes that antiquated language preventing same-sex marriage from the state constitution. I will be voting YES ON AMENDMENT J. I’m excited about what Proposition 129 does to help people and animals. It helps people two ways: 1) provides a new career opportunity to earn more for vet techs and others with a passion to grow in their careers and support animal health and 2) saves pet owners money on high-quality veterinary care. It helps animals by increasing access to high-quality veterinary care by creating a new veterinary professional associate (Vet PA) position between a vet tech (which typically requires an associate degree) and a full veterinarian (which requires eight or more years of higher education). I think this is a great idea, and we have something similar in human medicine with Physicians Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. I am proudly joining the Humane Society, Dumb Friends League, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and pet owners everywhere in voting YES ON PROPOSITION 129. Proposition 131: All candidate primaries and ranked-choice voting This initiative would improve our democracy giving us more choices for state-wide and state legislative office. For future November elections, voters would get a ballot listing four candidates. Instead of picking just one, voters would rank the candidates in order of preference. This is also called “instant-runoff voting.” While Colorado has among the best voter integrity and access protections, no system of voting is perfect, and I think instant runoff voting is better than our current system because it gives voters more choices. I’m hopeful that if it passes it will encourage participation and improve our democracy. Please join the League of Women Voters and me in supporting YES ON PROPOSITION 131. In addition, Amendment 79 is on the ballot to enshrine reproductive choice in the state constitution. I am pro-choice and will be voting YES on Amendment 79. This is your opportunity, John, to have a direct say in one of the most consequential elections in a generation. Please make sure you are registered to vote … vote … and return your ballot. Thanks for voting, Gov. Jared Polis
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