Statement by John Andrews, Campaign Chairman
Limit the Judges says thank you to almost 600,000 Coloradans who voted Yes on 40 in response to the injustice of our state's most powerful branch of government also being the least accountable branch. That must not stand, and our movement will continue to press the issue despite falling short this year. [read more]
As I told the media in conceding on election night:
Judicial term limits made a strong showing today, and without the controversial provision for early termination of some judges in 2009, it may well have won. We're encouraged at having brought the issue of activist judges to a boil in Colorado, and we intend to keep it there.
We'll be back in 2007 with legislative proposals to put teeth in the performance reviews, and in 2008 we'll be back on the ballot with a better constitutional amendment than this one. This issue is not going away -- half a million concerned citizens won't let it.
Amendment 40 went down by 57% to 43%, 579,000 votes in favor and 764,000 votes against. In percentage and vote totals, we ran ahead of the Republican ticket for governor.
We scared the bench and bar witless, diverting over $1 million of their resources away from other races and setting the stage for legislative gain next year.
Our share of the vote was better than TABOR's share its first two times on the ballot (before passing in 1992 on the fourth try).
On behalf of our legislative co-chairs and the courageous members of Lawyers for Limits, I extend appreciation to all who supported this much-needed reform for Colorado's courts. Please stay with us -- we'll be back!
