County Clerks Oppose Effort To Make Ballots Public

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado County Clerks Association is opposing efforts by Secretary of State Scott Gessler to make ballots available for public review.

The Denver Post reports that Gessler says he wants to begin the rulemaking process to make ballots public. The move follows a court victory for Saguache County residents who wanted to inspect ballots in a county commissioner and county clerk's race.

Gessler's wants to increase public confidence, but the clerks group says it creates a never ending election.

A challenge to Colorado's law that closes ballots to public review is pending in the Colorado Court of Appeals. It involves Aspen mayoral candidate Marilyn Marks' attempt to see electronic images of ballots from the 2009 election.

Gessler says he's waiting for a decision in that case before proceeding.

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