As voters sit down to fill out their ballots, they often refer to their local TABOR book, commonly known as the “gray book,” for more information about local ballot initiatives. Whether it’s a school bond measure, like in Douglas and Arapahoe counties, or an elimination of a TABOR limit in Jefferson County, the gray book provides voters with information to decide whether to vote for or against a proposal.
However, many may not realize that the public comments included in these guides are not fact-checked, according to the Colorado Legislative Council’s TABOR Blue Book guidelines. These guidelines note that arguments for and against ballot measures are submitted by proponents and opponents and are not verified for accuracy.
According to reporting by Colorado Community Media two years ago, misinformation in Douglas County’s booklet regarding the school district had its administrators up in arms. The district’s Superintendent, Erin Kane, spoke out against comments opposing the district’s mill levy override and bond measures, calling them “untrue” and “misrepresentative.”
This year, a statement opposing proposition 1A in Jefferson County claims a “yes” vote would eliminate the property tax cap from TABOR.
However, a “yes” vote would allow the county to keep its share of property tax funds “without increasing any tax rate or mill levy rate,” according to the ballot language.
The mill levy rate, which varies by county, determines the amount taxpayers owe in property taxes.
According to state law, any registered voter within a local jurisdiction can submit comments for or against a ballot issue. However, the government entity is not responsible for fact-checking or verifying the accuracy of the submitted comments.
Local guidebooks explicitly state that comments aren’t verified, but readers may skip over this information as they flip to the issues.
“We include an explanation in the packet that my office isn’t able to warrant the accuracy or truth of the contents of the notices, but we do provide the contact information for the designated election official,” said Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez. “This allows voters to reach out if they need more information about the content in their city, county or district booklet.”
Gonzalez said it’s important to remember that the TABOR book is one of many good resources for learning more about what’s on your ballot.
Voters can also look to county election websites, local news reporting or nonpartisan organizations like the League of Women Voters, which produces voter guides without endorsements or political bias.
In a time of heightened awareness of misinformation in our elections, sorting fact from opinion may seem more important than ever. State law makes it clear that the responsibility for evaluating the accuracy of the information ultimately falls on the voters themselves.
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