<\/p>\n
DENVER \u2013 State lawmakers failed to create a presidential primary in Colorado, despite cries from across the state following chaotic caucuses.<\/p>\n
One bill, which would have required temporary affiliation for unaffiliated voters to participate, was killed in a Republican-controlled Senate committee Tuesday. The voters\u2019 registrations would automatically return to unaffiliated after 30 days.<\/p>\n
The election would have been conducted similar to general elections, in which voters receive a mail-ballot or have the option to vote in person.<\/p>\n
The other bill, which died before receiving a full vote in either chamber, would have required affiliation for unaffiliated voters, though voters could request a return to unaffiliated status after the election.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers felt this year offered the best chance to change the system, drawing upon frustration that spilled over following the March 1 caucus, as voters expressed anger over long lines and confusion.<\/p>\n
The state last held a presidential primary in 2000; the caucus system was restored before the 2004 election.<\/p>\n
Neither bill would have eliminated the caucus system, in which neighbors gather to support or oppose candidates in a grass-roots nominating process. Those caucuses would have continued for other races.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of Colorado want a change, and we had an opportunity this year to make it easier for every voter to participate in choosing our next president,\u201d said Sen. Lucia Guzman, D-Denver, who sponsored both bills. \u201cInstead, by failing to act, Colorado voters will continue to be at risk of being left out of the process every four years.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bills were derailed by lawmakers who fought to preserve the caucus process, arguing that \u201cparty bosses\u201d and \u201cbig business\u201d \u201cheld a gun\u201d to the Legislature\u2019s head.<\/p>\n
Fears grew that the affiliation requirements would allow parties to track voters, which is troubling to many unaffiliated voters. Even the legislation that would have created a temporary affiliation would have left a c record of the party chosen.<\/p>\n
Both major state parties in Colorado supported a switch to a presidential primary, as did Secretary of State Wayne Williams, a Republican.<\/p>\n
Overshadowing the debate was a proposed ballot initiative \u2013 spearheaded by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce \u2013 that would create an open primary, sending ballots to all voters, including unaffiliated.<\/p>\n
The primary price tag, about $5 million, didn\u2019t help. Lawmakers opted not to find money this year, saying they would pay for it in a few years, before the next presidential race in 2020.<\/p>\n
Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, who voted against the bill Tuesday, said he wasn\u2019t comfortable backing rushed legislation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have four years to get it right, let\u2019s make a commitment that we work together and figure out what the answer is to make it work before the next presidential election, and let\u2019s not introduce it in the waning days of the legislative session,\u201d Sonnenberg said.<\/p>\n
But Sen. Matt Jones, D-Louisville, said voters sent a mandate to the Legislature to act.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like caucuses, but we\u2019ve outgrown them, and this bill gives us what we need,\u201d Jones said. \u201cI was hopeful that we would come to an agreement on this. \u2026 But now all of a sudden it seems like it\u2019s not OK, and I don\u2019t understand it.\u201d<\/p>\n