November 11, 2010 02:25 AM UTC

Dems: Colorado House Remains In Play

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• by: Colorado Pols

Colorado Democrats are pushing back with renewed vigor this afternoon on the idea that the GOP majority in the state House is settled, citing new numbers in the HD-29 race between Democratic incumbent Rep. Debbie Benefield and GOP challenger Robert Ramirez–numbers that could result in some serious heartburn for oh-so-presumptive Speaker Frank McNulty.

According to the Democratic House Majority Project, the most recent totals in the HD-29 race show “at least” 687 ballots of various descriptions left to be counted–including some 464 provisional ballots, and 223 “curable” ballots with minor problems that canvassers are attempting to resolve by today’s deadline.

GOP challenger Ramirez presently leads by only 208 votes–so 687 additional ballots could quite possibly blow this race wide open, and control of the Colorado House with it. Says Democratic Party chair Pat Waak, “Elections reflect the will of the people. With so many uncounted ballots in the Benefield race, it’s important to let the counting finish.” Full release follows.

As we’ve discussed, McNulty has not been very bashful about controversial possible changes to House committees and rules, basically jabbing a stick in the eye of Democrats on the strength of his razor-thin 33-32 majority merely because he could — and not because it served any sort of strategic purpose. Can you imagine the egg on McNulty’s face if control of the House is yanked out from under him? And from a purely practical standpoint, would Republicans feel a need to elect a different leader if they are not in the majority?

We think McNulty’s needless provocations were politically dumb anyway (silly gamesmanship stories are not the news headlines that Republicans should be seeking after such a close election), but they become so much more harmful if he’s no longer holding the Speaker’s gavel. How could McNulty possibly expect Democrats, if still in the majority, to negotiate in good faith with him after what he’s done already?

Stay tuned.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Critical Turning Point in “Too Close to Call” State House Race

New data shows state house majority remains undecided

As thousands of uncounted ballots continue to be sorted and verified for counting by county clerks around Colorado, new analysis confirms that State House District 29 race between Democratic Representative Debbie Benefield and Republican Robert Ramirez remains “too close to call.”  Analysis of new data shows there are at least 687 uncounted ballots in the district, and only 208 votes separating the candidates, the outcome of the election will remain in doubt until Tuesday of next week.

“The voters will have the final word in this election,” said Pat Waak, Colorado Democratic Party Chair. “As mail-in ballots continue to be verified while hardworking election officials make sure uncounted votes are processed correctly, the data shows that District 29 remains too close to call.”

With at least 687 uncounted ballots in the district, and Rep. Benefield currently down by 208 votes in the preliminary tally, there are too many uncounted ballots for Republicans to shut the door on the democratic process.

“Democrats are committed to honoring the vote,” added Waak. “Elections reflect the will of the people. With so many uncounted ballots in the Benefield race, it’s important to let the counting finish.”

With HD-29 undecided, control of the Colorado State House also remains undecided as well-with 32 Democrats and 32 Republicans currently awaiting the outcome of the HD-29 race to determine majority control over the chamber.

Editor’s notes:

· In the last few days, specific data from Jefferson County shows that there are 464 provisional ballots in the process of being verified that have yet to be counted.

· According to Colorado Secretary of State (SOS) data, currently the statewide average of provisionals being verified in the 2010 election is 88%.

· In addition, 223 “curable” mail-in ballots are outstanding in the district-where Jefferson County election officials asked voters to fix minor signature or identification problems before they could be officially counted.

· So far, 24,778 votes have been counted in the race-with at least 687 uncounted ballots.

· State statute mandate the last day for counting provisional and outstanding mail-in ballots is Tuesday, November 16th.

·  A statutory recount is triggered if the official tally of votes cast in a race are within 0.05% (one-half of one percent).

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