Colorado Rep. Calls For English Only Ballots

Colorado Congressman Mike Coffman is calling for the rejection of portions of the federal Voting Rights Act calling for providing voters with ballots in more than one language. Coffman said he would introduce legislation to repeal Section 203 of the 1973 VRA because it is an “unnecessary and unfunded” mandate that might prove to be a financial burden for some jurisdictions.

What’s worse is that Coffman is a former secretary of state in Colorado. The Denver Post reported that Coffman is set to introduce the legislation because of:

the situation facing county clerks across Colorado. Eight counties already must provide ballots in Spanish as well as English. Two counties must provide interpreters for Ute tribal members in southwest Colorado.

Sixteen more Colorado counties are expected to receive federal orders this month that they will need to provide Spanish ballots. Costs for those could run as high as $350,000 if they were required in a large county such as Arapahoe.

Such legislation could, ultimately disenfranchise Latino and other voters, with the economic troubles facing the country currently, it remains to be seen if this type of legislation stands a chance to make it into law.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD.