Today, Nov. 4, was election day and Durango residents were encouraged to get to their polling centers  and vote before they closed at 7 pm.

Citizens voted for senators, congressmen, municipal officers, and several propositions on this midterm ballot.

Some senators of The Associated Students of Fort Lewis College, in association with New Era Colorado and Next Gen Climate Colorado, volunteered to give students rides to the local polling stations today. The vote bus left from the Durango Transit bus stop on the Fort Lewis College campus every half-hour from 10 am to 6:30 pm throughout election day to assist voters in turning in their ballot.

On the Ballot

The candidates on the ballot for the U.S. Senate were Democratic candidate Mark Udall and Republican candidate Cory Gardner. The gubernatorial candidates on the ballot were Democrat John Hickenlooper and Republican Bob Beauprez.

There were also several legislative propositions and amendments on the ballot. Among these were Proposition 68, proposition 105 and Amendment 67.

Information on all of these candidates, propositions, and amendments was sent out in a pamphlet in the mail prior to election day.

If proposition 68 passes, gambling at horse tracks in Colorado will become legal, and 34 percent of the proceeds will go toward state-funded education. This new law would also put the power to make future decisions about gambling establishments in Colorado in the hands of state legislators, as opposed to voters.

If Proposition 105 passes, all foods made with Genetically Modified Organisms, commonly known as GMOs, will be labeled as such within their packaging.

If Amendment 67 passes, the State will amend its legislature to define unborn children as human beings, consequently making abortions illegal in any case.

Organizations Promoting Voting

New Era Colorado established a presence on the FLC campus over the last several weeks and helped to sign people up for rides to the polling stations, Phil Carter, vice president of the ASFLC, said.

The organization that offered the rides, Next Gen Climate Colorado, also tabled on campus and canvassed in Durango to ask voters to consider the environment when they voted, Carter said.

When asked why students should vote, Carter said that people who hold government offices

control funding to state schools, policies that impact the environment and the future of our government.

“Democracy counts on voting,” he said. “It gives a voice to the few.”