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7050 Loma Linda Ct.
` n ,. } Longmont CO 80504
303 833 2992
March 17, 1998
Weld Board of Copnttttonimissioners
PO Box 738
Greeley CO 80632
Subject: Reapportionment &realignment; County Commissioner districts
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you for the reception to my remarks regarding the above subject at your
3/11/98 meeting.
Enclosed is a presentation giving reasons for, alternatives and mechanics of
affecting changes in County Commissioner districting. One of the Commissioners
suggested that the districts of the State representatives essentially coincided with
that of the Commissioners. That is not correct, in that State Representative
district 50 represents only the City of Greeley [with two precinct exceptions]
which is not true of any Commissioner district. Although, if applied to
Commissioner districting, this would be an improvement in representation, there
are other alternatives that might accomplish even more equitable representation.
Let me state again, that the motivation for these proposed changes in no way
reflects on the performance in office of the present Board. The objective of the
redistricting is solely to provide more opportunity for all the electorate to have
representation for their concerns in County government. It is hoped that the
Commissioners, on reading the enclosure, will reflect and be able to support some
of the changes in districting it suggests.
Very truly yours,
V John S. Folsom
Enclosure
PC: Bruce Barker, Esq., Weld County Council
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4�� CC LA-2 980591
Realignment of Weld County Commissioner Districts
The Need:
1. Rapid growth has increased population and where people live in Weld County.
Growth has changed the distribution of population between city, town and rural
areas.
2. Present commissioner districts do not provide some voters an opportunity for
representation for their concerns on the Board of County Commissioners.
3. More equitable representation based on: where you live, what type of community
you live in, who you are, what you do for a living, what government entities you rely
on to provide services, is needed.
The Opportunity for Change:
In the year 2000, the Federal Census will be taken. We will have available up to
date figures on how many people there are in Weld County, who they are and
where they live. In addition, based on trends, we will be able to forecast how many
people there will be and where they will live until the next decennial census.
How the Commissioner districts are set up now:
Three Commissioners are elected from geographic districts. Each contains part of
the City of Greeley and extends to County borders including other communities and
rural areas. Two additional commissioners are elected by all the voters in the
County which, again, includes voters from Greeley, other municipalities and rural
areas. 45% of the people live in Greeley, 35% live in other municipalities and 25%
live in rural areas. Since, all Commissioner districts contain, essentially, the same
range, mix and percentage of voters; voters with one point of view can elect all the
commissioners.
So what's the Problem?
The present commissioner districting may not give any representation on the Board
of County Commissioners for voters with other issues or points of view. It results in
the votes of many voters not counting, in that there is no representation for their
concerns on the Board. Is this democracy? It has also been called; dictatorship by a
majority!
What are possible Solutions ?
a] Make the alignment of the three geographic districts similar to those, already
existing, for the State Representatives. Essentially, one is elected from Greeley, the
others from other parts of the County. A better solution would, in addition:
b] Change the at large commissioner districts into geographic ones. This would
permit a more diverse cross section of Weld County population in each of the, then
five, geographic districts. Still better to have each vote count, would be to:
c] Have all the commissioners candidates run county wide and be elected by
Cumulative Voting. This is where each voter would have five votes to elect the five
commissioners. The voter could use his five votes for one commissioner candidate
or in any combination for several candidates. More diverse representation of voter
concerns on the Board of commissioners would result from the ability of the voter to
multiply his votes for a commissioner of his choice.
Now, let's not get nervous!
Everyone is a little apprehensive about change, especially if they perceive it as
affecting them adversely. But let's consider:
1.The majority of voters will still retain a majority of commissioners representing
their concerns.
2. Politically, over the years, the majority of the commissioners have been of the
Republican Party. This would continue, barring a change in voter's habits, not
related to any of the above voter district or voting method changes.
How are the changes made?
1. To change the boundaries of territorial districts: the Weld County Home Rule
Charter states: "The Board shall review the boundaries of the districts when
necessary,... and then revise and alter the boundaries so that districts are as nearly
equal in population as possible." Contrastingly, district boundaries of state senators
and representatives must be reviewed every ten years, but commissioner districts
are reviewed only when the commissioners feel it is necessary.
2. To change commissioners at large to geographic districts: This would require an
amendment to the Weld County Home Rule Charter by a vote of the electorate. To
get this on the ballot would require a petition for an initiative by qualified voters
amounting to 5% of the total vote in the last general election.
3. To institute Cumulative Voting would require amending the Weld County Home
Rule Charter as in 2. above. In addition, it would have to prevail in possible court
challenges by those who benefit from the present method of voting.
Why think about this now?
Making changes takes time. Making preparations, organizing, making the public
aware and enlisting their support takes time. Any of the three alternatives for
change suggested, would require petitioning for a ballot initiative and perhaps time
consuming challenges.
What has sufficed in the past may be entirely insufficient for the present and future.
Weld County is growing at a rapid rate. It is changing, especially in its southwest
quadrant from an agriculture base to one of predominately industrial, commercial
and residential activities. The Board has actively supported these changes and
should in its composition reflect the resulting voter issues that these changes bring.
As Article 5 Section 47 of the Constitution of Colorado states: "...communities of
interest, including ethnic, cultural, economic, trade area, geographic, and
demographic factors, shall be preserved within a single district wherever possible."
Specifically, this applies to state senators and representatives, but one would hope
that the County Commissioners do not hold themselves exempt from such a
requirement to the detriment of the people of Weld County.
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