An unlikely crew of activists and advocates has teamed up to sue Colorado Secretary of State Bernie Bues cher in federal court, arguing that laws enacted last year to curb ballot petition fraud go too far and violate the U.S. Constitution.
The laws, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the legislature, put tough new requirements on companies that pay people to collect signatures for prospective ballot measures.
David Lane, a Denver attorney, filed the suit in federal court Monday. Listed as plaintiffs in the suit are Jon Caldara, president of the right-leaning Independence Institute, pro-marijuana activist Mason Tvert and several other people with experience running ballot initiatives. Lane said the laws violate free-speech rights and make it difficult for advocates to get measures on the ballot.
A spokesman for Buescher said his office had not yet seen the lawsuit and couldn’t comment. House Speaker Terrance Carroll, a Denver Democrat who was the main sponsor of the laws, called the suit “frivolous and without merit.” John Ingold, The Denver Post
