US Senator Elizabeth Warren: Say No to Checkbook Politics & CO Proposition 131

US Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts today opposed efforts against a massive overhaul of Colorado’s election system, saying it “is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, completely funded by billionaires to tilt the political landscape toward their own special interests.”

Proposition 131 is a confusing mix-up with a jungle primary where voters cast one ballot for each race followed by a “final-four” ranked-choice voting general election that requires voters to ranked the candidates in order of preference. Only about half of Colorado candidates are covered by Prop 131: US Senate, US House, statewide races and legislative races. US President, district attorneys, county races and other local races would be held as they are currently in both the primary and general elections.

Studies show that a vote cast in a ranked-choice voting election is 10 times more likely to be invalidated due to voter error, and the voter will never know.

Prop 131 is almost entirely funded by millionaires and billionaires. The most recent information on 131 donors from the Secretary of State’s website shows about $14.5 million total raised, including $2.4 million from former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry, the main proponent. The most recent contributors reported are:

  • Charles Gallagher, private equity investor & owner of Gallagher Industries - $10,000

  • Larry Mizel, Founder & Director of MDC Holding, Inc - $50,000

  • Kimbal Musk, brother of Elon Musk - $100,000

  • David Peeler, financier & executive at Berkshire Holdings - $125,000 

  • Patrick Hamill, Founder & CEO of Oakwood Homes - $100,000

  • Unite America PAC - $1,000,000 (individual donors are anonymous)

  • Colorado Chamber of Commerce - $375,000

  • Ben Walton, WalMart family - $1,000,000

  • Beach62 LLC - $5,000

  • Seth J. Sternberg, Founder & CEO of Honor Technology - $5,000

  • Chevron - $500,000

  • Kent Thiry - $1,000,000

Earlier contributions to 131 are six- and seven-figure contributions from Walmart heir Ben Walton, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and Kathryn Murdoch, the daughter-in-law of right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Sen. Warren’s entire statement:

“Colorado voters should reject Proposition 131 — an election reform that is a wolf in sheep’s clothing —completely funded by billionaires to tilt the political landscape toward their own special interests.                                                                              

Instead of actual election reform, a handful of super wealthy donors are attempting to change the system with a confusing voting system that decreases election transparency in favor of special interests.

I encourage every Colorado voter, regardless of their party or lack of party affiliation to vote for less influence from the billionaire class. Vote NO on Prop. 131.”