Why shortening early voting hurts low income and elderly voters.

HB 1267 Testimony

We believe that one of the most basic and important parts of civic participation is voting. It’s the fundamental right that our democracy is built on. We are here today to oppose HB 1267 and have several concerns about its provisions.

We are opposed to any move that would shorten early vote. This bill shortens the early vote period from 15 days to just 4 days. Not only are we opposed to a shortening of early voting, but we are also opposed to the elimination of any weekend days during the early vote period, which this bill does. Colorado Progressive Action works primarily in low income communities and these would be the people most affected by a reduction in the early voting period. Many of our members are working multiple jobs while trying to raise families and take advantage of weekend early voting because this is the only time their schedule will allow them to vote. I want to share the story of one of our members to illustrate the importance of preserving an extended early voting period that includes weekends. De is a single mother of two. In this economy she is struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over her childrens’ heads. In order to do this she works three jobs that total 68 hours a week. She is able to vote because the extended early voting period that includes weekends allows her to fit voting into her very busy schedule.

We are also opposed to the provision in this bill that changes the forwardability of the voter information card. Because the right to vote is so fundamental, we believe that every effort should be made to reach people who have moved. The voter information card is an important tool in ensuring that voters have accurate voting information and the opportunity to update their voter registration records, if necessary. Making the card forwardable gives voters the opportunity to update their records and continue to participate in elections; making the card non-forwardable means that more voters will be made inactive. Many of Colorado Progressive Action’s members are currently facing foreclosure and are being forced to move from their homes. As you can imagine, foreclosure is an extremely distressing process to go through and many of our members do not think about updating their voter registration when they are forced from their homes. In difficult economic times, when 144,000 of Coloradans between 2008 and this year facing foreclosure, we should not be changing voting laws that will make it more difficult for these people to vote, and those who move often to vote.

Voting is a fundamental right that is the foundation of our democracy. Because it is such a sacred fundamental right, the state should not do anything that will decrease voter participation. We should be pursuing policies and procedures that make access to the polls easier and this bill does not do this. We encourage you to vote no on this bill.

--- Colorado Progressive Action Director Hillary Jorgenson