3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 29
Summary
Colorado’s top court blocked two Democratic ballot initiatives that aimed to redraw the state’s congressional map before the 2028 election, putting the entire off-year redistricting push in doubt.
The justices said both measures violated the state constitution’s single-subject rule because each would take effect only if voters also approved the other, making them effectively a combined proposal.
Justice Richard L. Gabriel wrote that a measure contingent on passage of a separate initiative contains multiple subjects, even if the proposals are filed separately.
The ruling leaves Democrats facing a tighter path to place any replacement plan on the November ballot, after they were already racing to gather signatures.
Colorado had been one of Democrats’ top targets in the next round of national redistricting fights after a burst of map changes ahead of the 2026 midterms.