Coken Challenges Colorado Secretary of State Over Access to Ballot
Enfranchisement and Democracy at Stake
DENVER, June 15, 2010 - House District 4 Democratic Candidate, Jennifer Coken has filed a legal challenge in Denver District Court regarding the Secretary of State's decision to reject a handful of signatures that would have allowed her a place on the August primary ballot. At issue is the timing of 17 signatures and the validity of 94 signatures.
With the large number of candidates who petitioned onto the primary ballot, the Secretary of State's office has been overwhelmed and made a substantial number of errors regarding validation of signatures. The Secretary of State's review of Coken's signatures was unsatisfactory and incorrect.
A number of signatures were credited to Coken's opponent, who also petitioned onto the ballot, even though Coken garnered those signatures first. Courts have historically ruled in favor of open access to the ballots and Coken is confident that when a judge reviews the facts, she will be placed on the ballot. Coken remains hopeful that the judge will rule to allow voters to decide who their Democratic candidate on the November ballot will be.
About Jennifer Coken
Jennifer Coken's commitment to working families continues as she runs for the Colorado Legislature. Jennifer is a founding board member of the BlueFlower Fund, which works to elect progressive, pro-choice women for state and local office. As former Chair of the Denver County Democratic Party, she helped lead the way to turn Colorado blue. As a community organizer for over 22 years, and current director of the Western Clean Energy, she fights for renewable energy and against the building of coal-fired power plants in the West.
House District 4
House District 4 covers much of west and northwest Denver, stretching roughly from 52nd Avenue to Alameda between Federal and Sheridan Boulevards. It includes the Inspiration Point, Berkeley Regis, Sloan's Lake, West Highlands and Sunnyside neighborhoods.
