Understanding What ' s at Stake in the 2024 General Election
Many of us have the impression of Colorado being politically middle of the road . However , the 65 member Colorado House is currently composed of 46 Democrats and 19 Republicans . The 35 member Colorado Senate is currently composed of 23 Democrats and 12 Republicans . The Governor is also a Democrat . This overwhelming party advantage makes Colorado the 4th most lopsided state in the nation .
In addition to this extreme partisan imbalance , Colorado also has the highest level of “ polarization ” between the two parties in the country , Two Decades of Polarization in American State Legislatures , Journal of Political Institutions and Political Economy , 2022 343-370 .
Polarization is measured by the frequency with which 5 % of the members of one party vote with 95 % of the members of the other party .
" Colorado has the highest level of polarization between the two parties in the country ."
Polarization is on the rise in most states , but its growth in Colorado has been uniquely high . Since 2016 Colorado has been the most polarized state in the nation ( surpassing California ). Simply put , Colorado ’ s elected officials are overwhelming Democrats and our officials are less moderate than most .
Democrats Lead The Way , But More At Stake Than A Simple Majority
As Colorado gears up for its upcoming General Assembly elections in November , there is little doubt that Democrats will maintain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate . The only question is whether the Democrats will be able to maintain their supermajority in the House and pick up one seat in the Senate to reach supermajority status .
Why Does Supermajority Status Matter ?
A supermajority in the legislature gives the ruling party three advantages : ( 1 ) the ability to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot without opposition support , ( 2 ) the power to override Governor Polis ' vetoes on progressive legislation that negatively
18 | TRENDS SEPTEMBER 2024 www . aamdhq . org