Politics

by Michael Choy, cbs4denver.com
DENVER (CBS4) ― A new CBS4/Rocky Mountain News poll finds 53 percent of registered voters in Colorado support Amendment 46, which would essentially end affirmative action in the state by prohibiting governments from granting preferential treatment to anyone based on sex, race or ethnicity in public education, employment or contracting.

Forty percent of those polled from Oct. 21 to Oct. 23 said they were opposed to the amendment. Seven percent said they didn't know or refused to answer the question.

Among those polled, 35 percent said they would definitely vote yes. Thirty percent said they would definitely vote no.

Opponents of Amendment 46 say it would destroy years of progress in education, health care and workforce development. Supporters say affirmative action based on race and gender is no longer needed.

"The time has come for the government to stop picking winners and losers based on race and gender," said Jessica Corry, executive director of Colorado Civil Rights Initiative, which backs Amendment 46. "Colorado is a progressive state dedicated to equal opportunity and our equal opportunity programs should reflect that commitment."

Although the recent poll shows the measure passing, opponents see the poll numbers as a victory.

"Three or four weeks ago, a poll showed 62 percent support for this initiative," said Melissa Hart, co-chair of No on Amendment 46. "I think we're changing people's mind as they understand what it is."

Hart argues Amendment 46 uses language evocative of the civil rights movement, but it is actually an anti-civil rights measure.

"Colorado voters don't want to be fooled," she said.

"There's nothing deceptive about this initiative," Corry said.

Those against the measure worry it could also cause a flurry of lawsuits if passed because there is no clear definition of "preferential treatment."

"When it comes to discrimination, we shouldn't stop fighting it simply because there might be litigation. That's un-American and that's simply not the right thing to do," said Corry.

Opponents cite several examples of programs that would be hurt or eliminated if the amendment is approved. One example is a science camp for girls that receives public funding.

"To say that we need to have programs where only girls are permitted, that girls can only succeed when boys are excluded is just plain sexist," Corry said.

Amendment 46 is similar to initiatives bankrolled by former University of California regent Ward Connerly and approved by voters in California, Washington and Michigan. A similar measure is on Nebraska's ballot.

Hart called Connerly a carpetbagger who has made more than $7 million by promoting Amendment 46 and similar measures in other states.

"They are solutions that are looking for problems that aren't local problems," Hart said. "We don't have the problems he's talking about in Colorado."

"Name calling is always a sign of a desperate campaign," Corry said. "We welcome a new America, post-racial America and our opposition clearly wants to stay in the dark ages."

State Sen. Andrew McElhany, R-Minority Leader, former Republican State Treasurer Mark Hillman and other state House Republicans are among those who support Amendment 46, Corry said.

Gov. Bill Ritter, the bipartisan Colorado Civil Rights Commission and three college basketball coaches in Colorado are among those who oppose Amendment 46.

The poll surveyed 500 registered voters in Colorado and has a margin of error of plus/minus 4.38 percent.

Additional Resources: 

Pro Amd. 46 Web Site


Anti Amd. 46 Web Site

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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