Rampant Fraud in Colorado Election, Says Gubernatorial Candidate

This letter was sent to Yellow Scene Magazine. As with all Letters to the Editor, the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. We value providing space for community voices.

Media Contact:

Jeff Peckman

[email protected]

Rampant Fraud in Colorado Election Says Gubernatorial Candidate

Jeff Peckman, a Unity Party candidate for governor, claims fraud is tarnishing Colorado’s “gold standard” elections. No one has voted yet. So, where’s the fraud?

Peckman said, “Colorado county election offices, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and commercial TV and radio stations are breaking the law by engaging in partisan politics. They’re defrauding unaffiliated voters by withholding critical election information. They’re illegally excluding minor party primary candidates from interviews, forums, debates, and voter guides. That benefits the two major political parties and undermines minor parties.

Over 90% of county election offices are not explaining how to vote a Unity Party primary ballot, or even that there is a Unity Party primary. Jefferson, Boulder, and Larimer counties are exceptions. They’re properly informing voters that they must request a Unity Party ballot from the county clerk or at the Voting Center.”

Major and other minor party members may also vote for a Unity Party ballot. However, they must first change their political party affiliation or withdraw their affiliation and become unaffiliated. June 8 is the deadline for either choice.

According to Peckman, “501(c)(3) non-profits, including churches and community news outlets, are hosting forums and debates, and publicizing ‘voter guides’ that illegally exclude Unity Party candidates. The IRS states on its website FAQ page that such organizations must provide, “…an equal opportunity to participate to all political candidates seeking the same office.’

Commercial TV and radio stations are violating federal law. 47 USC 315 states: ‘If any licensee shall permit any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office to use a broadcasting station, he shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates for that office in the use of such broadcasting station…”

Peckman asserts that “No legal basis exists for these various entities to exclude minor party primary candidates from official election information and these election opportunities, when major party candidates have been given such opportunities for the same office. The Colorado Public Radio voter guide has set the standard for equal and fair treatment of minor party candidates. Additionally, many county election websites and voter guides simply link to the website of the Colorado Secretary of State’s General Election FAQ page, which contains information that is incomplete, misleading, and confusing.”

Peckman added, “That’s why I filed a complaint with Secretary of State Griswold yesterday and requested an immediate remedy. All qualified voters are legally entitled to complete, accurate, and uniform election information that is not confusing. All qualified candidates are legally entitled to participate in these various election opportunities. This fraud needs to end so voters can make an informed election choice before ballots are mailed on June 8.”

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