The turkey lives
Gov. Jarden Polis performed four official turkey pardons for the first time in Colorado history on Nov. 20.
The ceremony has a long history among U.S. presidents since the 1960s in celebration of Thanksgiving. It wasn’t always that way, though — previous presidents were presented with the turkey that would end up on their Thanksgiving table.
JFK started the move away from that tradition, perhaps because it was ruffling too many feathers.
Now, turkeys are liberated in ceremonies all over the country. In fact, President Biden just pardoned two of them — Liberty and Bell — earlier this week. It’s a quirky tradition, especially given these turkeys have committed no fowl play.
Boulder City Council recount
The latest unofficial results from the Boulder City Council race, updated Nov. 16 at 3:04 p.m., show Ryan Schuchard just 47 votes ahead of Terri Brncic for the last of four seats on council.
With the race too close to call, Boulder County Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick announced the initiation of an automatic recount expected for Dec. 5.
There hasn’t been a recount for a Boulder City Council race for at least the last decade, according to City of Boulder staff.
Recounts are initiated in any election race if the difference between candidates is a half of a percent of the total vote or less. Schuchard and Brncic are separated by 0.04% of the vote.
The rest of the new council seats will be held by Tara Winer, Tina Marquis and Taishya Adams.
No violation in Yates’ mayoral campaign
Boulder City Clerk Elesha Johnson found Bob Yates’ campaign, Bob Yates for Mayor, was not in violation of the City’s campaign finance rules.
The “review” was spurred by a complaint filed by Brian Keegan, a board member of Boulder Progressives, that alleged the campaign improperly reported $8,861.80 in pre-campaign spending.
Johnson’s Nov. 17 letter concludes probable cause was not found related to campaign activities (BRC 13-2-4) as “candidates are permitted to contribute more than $100 to their Official Candidate Committee.”
She found the same thing in relation to reporting requirements (BRC 13-2-6), writing “the reports submitted comply with the requirements of the Boulder Revised Code.” The decision is final.
Yates was the runner-up in Boulder’s first use of ranked choice voting to pick a mayor, narrowly losing to Aaron Brockett by 1,231 votes (3.8%). The outgoing councilman will finish his term Thursday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. when the four newly elected council members are sworn in.
Trump made eligible for presidential primary ballot
Judge Sarah Wallace of the Denver District Court ruled on Nov. 17 that former president Donald Trump is eligible for the March 5 presidential primary ballot in Colorado.
The decision comes after six Republican and Unaffiliated voters sued Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold earlier this fall, arguing that Griswold, as chief elections official in Colorado, should disqualify Trump from the ballot based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Amendment states a person cannot hold office if they “have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against [the Constitution], or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
“This decision may be appealed,” Secretary Griswold said in a press release. “As Secretary of State, I will always ensure that every voter can make their voice heard in free and fair elections.”
According to the same press release, “Colorado law is unclear on how to consider the requirements of the United States Constitution in determining whether a candidate is eligible for office, including the language of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.”
