One of the most contentious bills awaiting Gov. Jared Polis’s signature is SB24-210, a bipartisan effort to modify Colorado’s election laws. This bill, coupled with a ballot initiative proposing the adoption of rank-choice voting (RCV), has sparked significant debate.

If signed, SB24-210 would impose specific requirements for municipalities wishing to implement RCV. These include conducting audits to verify correct outcomes and meeting other criteria, with a comprehensive report from the Secretary of State’s office to relevant legislative committees. This last-minute amendment, added in the House of Representatives, has been criticized by RCV proponents as a “poison pill” intended to make adopting RCV nearly impossible, even if the ballot initiative passes in November.

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However, the amendment’s supporters, including county clerks who played a crucial role in its formulation, argue it addresses practical concerns about the feasibility of implementing RCV by 2026. These clerks, who manage the elections on the ground, have voiced serious concerns about the logistical and technical challenges of such a rapid transition.

Integrity in elections has been a hot topic nationally, with many questioning the reliability of electoral processes. In this context, the warnings from county clerks cannot be ignored. Implementing a fundamentally different voting system like RCV is a significant undertaking that requires thorough preparation. Collecting data and conducting pilot tests in various municipalities will help ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of RCV, preventing potential errors that could undermine voter confidence.

Education on the new system is also critical. If county clerks, who are intimately familiar with the electoral process, feel unprepared for RCV, imagine the confusion among voters. Rushing into such a substantial change without adequate preparation could lead to lower voter participation. Our focus should be on increasing access to voting and ensuring high turnout, not creating barriers through a hasty rollout of a complex new system.

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Though the goal of RCV is to improve electoral outcomes by offering more choice to voters, it is vital any changes are implemented correctly. This is not just a matter of policy disagreement but a significant overhaul of our electoral system. The stakes are high, and we must do everything in our power to get it right.

Claims about the potential success or failure of RCV implementation are speculative at this stage. Given this system has not been widely tested in Colorado, it is incumbent upon us to proceed cautiously. SB24-210 provides a framework for a measured, responsible transition to RCV, ensuring we learn from initial implementations and avoid pitfalls that could compromise our election integrity.

Lisa LaBriola is a principal at Husch Blackwell Strategies and was a Senate Democrat staffer for close to a decade. She served as chief of staff to former Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman and former Senate President Leroy Garcia. Opinions expressed here are her own and do not reflect the opinions of any other organizations.