A recent editor letter invited readers to explain how countywide voting for commissioners is protecting democracy.
To begin, La Plata County elects three commissioners, all three representing all La Plata County.
Second, La Plata County voters have demonstrated that they recognize and support how democracy is protected by countywide voting. In the early 1990s, we voted to convene a charter commission to write a County Home Rule charter. This was accomplished and presented to voters, failing by a narrow margin.
The commission was encouraged by the narrow defeat. Following Colorado law, they embarked on a series of town halls to determine where the charter fell short. Since some citizens expressed support for by-district voting, commissioners voted to make that sole change in the charter, then presented it again for a vote.
Response was swift and indisputable. Democrats, Republicans, unaffiliateds, new voters and, most notably to me, long-term voters stated loudly and often that this slashing of their voting rights was unacceptable, and they voted the charter down decisively.
Not only is democracy protected by countywide voting in Colorado, it also benefits from an excellent system put in place years ago by former Secretary of State Wayne Williams and Colorado county clerks. It is supported by Democratic candidates all up and down the ballot. I urge a vote for Kamala Harris, Robert Logan, Vivian Smotherman, Katie Stewart, Ellen Angeles, Adam Frisch, Matt Salka, Marsha Porter Norton and Sean Murray.
Jean C. Walter
Durango
