Mixed‑member PR proposal would add statewide seats and limits on district seats; staff press for clarity on chamber size and manipulation clause

Proponents of proposed initiative No. 264 described a mixed‑member proportional (MMP) system at a March 16 Legislative Council review hearing, saying the single subject is to elect the Colorado General Assembly by MMP and that the measure would allocate a blend of single‑member district seats and statewide proportional seats.

Pierce Lively of OLLS outlined the proposal’s elements: caps on single‑member district seats (no more than 25 Senate district seats and 45 House district seats), at least 10 statewide Senate seats and 20 statewide House seats, a single statewide party vote for statewide seats, and the Jefferson method for seat allocation. Proponents confirmed they do not intend to expand chamber sizes beyond current totals (35 members in the Senate, 65 in the House).

Staff concerns: OLLS asked whether requiring a single statewide party vote for both chambers could conflict with voters’ ability to split tickets and asked whether the chamber‑size caps could force an expansion of the legislature to satisfy proportional math; proponents said they intend to keep standard chamber sizes and will revise the language so each chamber’s allocation is calculated separately. OLLS also asked about the undefined power to allow the General Assembly to prevent “manipulation” of the system; proponents said they will consider either deleting that provision or defining the term to avoid giving the legislature overly broad authority to change mechanics without voter approval.

Vacancy and quorum issues: The draft creates larger vacancy committees for statewide seats (including statewide party officers and county party chairs); staff asked how quorum would be established for a committee that might include dozens of county chairs. Proponents agreed to consider lowering quorum thresholds for practicability.

What’s next: Proponents pledged revisions to clarify thresholds, chamber-specific calculations, the manipulation clause, vacancy‑committee quorum, and sequencing of district and statewide seat certifications. No vote took place.