“It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” -Yogi Berra I predict I'll have a psychic girlfriend, but she'll leave me before we meet. I have one prediction for election night that I'm certain will come true. Scotch. About a third of all Colorado voters have cast their ballots. By the end of the weekend, I suspect most will have voted. So, like you, I've been guessing how the Colorado races will go. Let me subject you to my predictions. By no means are these my endorsements; this is what I think we will wake up to Wednesday morning, along with a hangover. President. I think Trump will win, though it might take days to count the ballots. That said, the longer the vote count takes, the more the left magically finds ballots in mailbags, back of closets, and under mattresses. So, the slower the count takes, the more likely it is that Harris wins. Trump lost Colorado by 14 points four years ago. I think he loses Colorado by about 8 this time. 1st Congressional District. The fossil of Diana DeGette reelected. 2nd Congressional District. Joe Neguse reelected. 3rd Congressional District. Jeff Hurd wins. 4th Congressional District. Lauren Boebert wins. 5th Congressional District. Jeff Crank wins. That’s two Jeffs winning. 6th Congressional District. Jason Crow reelected. 7th Congressional District. Brittany Petterson reelected. 8th Congressional District. Yadira Caraveo reelected. But something tells me she might resign before her next election. The State House and State Senate remain firmly in Democratic control with a continued supermajority in the house, and potentially one in the Senate. Amendment G, modify property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities. Passes. Amendment H, judicial discipline procedures and confidentiality. Passes, but don't expect it to make much difference in our corrupt and incestuous system of courts. Amendment I, constitutional bail exception for first-degree murder. Passes, but it could be close. Amendment J, repealing the definition of marriage in the Constitution. Passes. Amendment K, modify constitutional election deadlines. Passes. This one could be close because voters might not understand it and it takes 55% to pass. Amendment 79, constitutional right to abortion. Passes, and then finally, can they stop scaring voters that “a woman’s right to healthcare is on the ballot” every election? Amendment 80, constitutional right to school choice. Fails. I hope I'm wrong. If not, this poorly worded measure is another expensive, well-intentioned Hail Mary pass without doing the long-term hard work of changing political culture and building coalitions first. Proposition JJ, retain additional sports betting tax revenue. Passes. Proposition KK, firearms and ammunition excise tax. Passes, in further proof of the Californian refugee influence to our once liberty-loving state. Proposition 127, prohibit bobcat, links, and mountain lion hunting. Passes, by the same voters who forced wolf introduction into backyards that were not theirs. Proposition 128, parole eligibility for crimes of violence. Passes. Proposition 129, establishing veterinary professional associates. Passes, but who knows on this one. Proposition 130, funding for law enforcement. Passes. But this was poorly worded without a deadline for the funding to happen. Without political pressure during the next legislative session, full funding could take years or decades. Proposition 131, establishing all candidate primary and ranked choice voting general elections. Passes. Without a doubt Proposition 131, ranked choice voting, is the 800-pound gorilla on this ballot with potential for the most disruptive political change. I think it will pass. The question is what happens to Colorado in the years following. Even given my strong skepticism about ranked choice voting, I believe there are opportunities to move good policy forward if this system is implemented correctly. Check out my column below. A lady tells her shrink that she can see into the future. He asked, “when did this start?” She says, “next Tuesday.” |