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Coloradans Vote On Affirmative Action, Personhood

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Nov 4, 2008 8:00 pm US/Mountain

Coloradans Vote On Affirmative Action, Personhood

 Comments: Share Your Comments About Election Day Experiences, Problems

By Colleen Slevin, AP Writer
DENVER (AP) ― Voters waded through a lengthy section of ballot measures Tuesday, determining everything from when life begins to affirmative action and taxes on oil and gas companies.

Topping the list was the controversial Amendment 46, which would ban affirmative action programs in state hiring and contracting and admission to public colleges and universities.

It was backed by Ward Connerly, a former University of California regent who has helped pass similar proposals in California, Michigan and Washington state. Connerly pointed to Barack Obama's candidacy as proof that preferences based on race or gender are no longer needed.

A second issue asked voters to define a fertilized egg as a person in a constitutional amendment. Opponents said it could be used to outlaw abortion, fertility treatments which can require the disposal of fertilized eggs and some forms of contraception.

Laura Koke, a 26-year-old unaffiliated voter from Denver said that proposed amendment was one of the issues that drew her to the polls so she could vote against it. "I'm pro-choice. I think it creates a slippery slope. I wouldn't want my reproductive rights taken from me," said Koke, a contract manager for a consulting firm.

Voters also weighed in on three measures strongly opposed by unions, including a measure to turn Colorado into a true "right to work" state.

Amendment 47 would bar "closed shops" in unionized workplaces. No one can be forced to join a union but currently unions can force non-members to pay dues to represent them if 75 percent of workers agree.

Voters also were asked to give up future surplus tax refunds to provide more money for schools; whether to allow mountain gambling towns to consider raising gaming stakes and keep casinos open all night and to lower the minimum age for serving in the legislature from 25 to 21.

Referendum O would require backers of constitutional amendments to collect more signatures from across the state in order to get the issue on the ballot.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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