DEAR EDITOR: Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Joan Lopez says that her endorsement of a fellow Democrat for Aurora City Council has no bearing on her running fair and accountable elections. Really?
Does she honestly think that those who voted for her, OR for her opponent, for that matter, will believe her? Arapahoe County voters have to be way too smart to fall for that.
Does Clerk and Recorder Lopez think it is okay – as the public official responsible for conducting Arapahoe County elections – that supporting, endorsing and donating to one candidate in a race with other contenders is okay? Really? On what planet?
Yes, of course, Clerk and Recorder Lopez can exercise her Freedom of Speech, but isn’t a fair unbiased election supposed to be an expectation – and don’t her actions give rise to an understandable projection of prejudice? A charge of potential election corruption, in this case, sounds like it would be an understatement.
This perception of bias has already caused the Arapahoe County municipality holding the concerning election (Aurora) to consider whether it might be more fair to all of the candidates involved — and to the voters — to conduct its election outside of the County’s jurisdiction – despite the added expense.
Clerk and Recorder Lopez has said that she hopes Aurora will continue to work with Arapahoe County, because a “new process could negatively impact voters and would use taxpayer resources that might be better used elsewhere.” Really? Why didn’t she consider that, before taking such partisan actions? Did she really think that her conduct would instill the trust that she can carry out a fair election? Really?
Did she think that the action of removing the voter database from the county website, forcing campaigns to go to the more difficult-to-use Colorado Secretary of State’s website, would show openness and transparency?
Wouldn’t she – as an opponent to her endorsed candidate has charged – be able to provide “her” candidate with up-to-date voter data, as ballots are being turned into the county — while her candidate’s opponents would not be able to have direct access to that information? How can we be sure? (This charge will, no doubt, be strongly denied, but why couldn’t — and wouldn’t — she give that kind of advantage to “her” candidate?)
Clerk and Recorder Lopez has said that, “…All candidates must …adhere to certain laws to ensure fairness…” Yes, but what about the Clerk and Recorder? Shouldn’t she adhere to ensuring fairness, too?
Clerk and Recorder Lopez had been listed as a registered agent for a group called “Hardcore Democrats”. The goal of the group, as stated, is to, “promote Democratic candidates for school board, city council, coroner, sheriff, county clerk, treasurer, RTD board, town counciland district representatives only for the Democratic party.” On the day after a local radio show exposed her registered agent status, Ms. Lopez’ name was mysteriously removed and replaced, following which, Ms. Lopez announced that the “change was made because of the perception it may make to voters…” Uh, yeah…No question!
Clerk and Recorder Lopez later said that it is her, “…sincerest hope to build bridges, open the door for honest communication and learn how to best work together…” Really? We are expected to believe that statement, just because she removed her name as registered agent for “Hardcore Democrats”, and despite also stating that she “aligns closely with her party’s values”? Really? … And are we, the voters of Arapahoe County, supposed to accept that Clerk and Recorder
Lopez is -— and will be — fair, and will conduct elections beyond reproach. Really?
Do you?
— Dorothy Gotlieb, via letters@SentinelColorado.com