Capitol Conversation: Bringing Presidential Primaries back to Colorado

Lawmakers in both parties have unveiled a proposal to bring a presidential primary back to Colorado. It’s estimated to cost between 5 to 7 million dollars to conduct. Bente Birkeland talks to statehouse reporters about the upcoming legislation as part of our capitol conversation.

Capitol Conversation: Bringing Presidential Primaries back to Colorado kgnu

Highlights from capitol conversation with Bente Birkeland:

On Why People Want to Change the Current System for Selecting Delegates

Megan Schrader- Colorado Springs Gazette:

“People felt like, especially on the Republican side where there was no presidential preference poll taken at all, that their voices weren’t being heard.”

Peter Marcus- Durango Herald:

“People were pissed off, and that’s why the legislature needs to act now, they need to strike while the iron is hot. Because the bottom line is, is that there’s always a financial situation with this, and with the bill they’re proposing, they could actually not worry about the money for a few years, because the next presidential primary would be in a few years from now.”

On How a Presidential Primary Would Work

Peter Marcus- Durango Herald:

“The way our caucus system works in Colorado now is you have to be affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic Party to participate. This will allow for a temporary affiliation, it’s more of a preference; it’s not an actual voter registration. That affiliation will go away after you voted for whatever ballot you chose a preference for, Republican or Democrat, and that way everybody can participate.”

Megan Schrader- Colorado Springs Gazette:

“A caucus disenfranchises people who cannot be at their precinct at 7pm on a Tuesday night…If it’s a mail ballot you have weeks to get your ballot in, so more people would be able to have their voice heard in who the nominee is from Colorado. I think that everyone can get behind this. What is interesting is the caucus system is going to stay in place for state races, and county races, and local races.”