cannabisnews.com: Ballot Issues Face Late Threat Ballot Issues Face Late Threat Posted by FoM on November 02, 2000 at 06:21:33 PT By Jim Hughes, Denver Post Staff Writer Source: Denver Post Late attention from opponents could threaten proposed constitutional amendments to boost education spending and legalize the use of medical marijuana, according to a new poll.Both are still winning, but each has fallen sharply from previous highs, according to the latest Denver Post/9News/KOA News Radio poll, conducted between Saturday and Tuesday. Amendment 23, which would spend some of the state's surplus revenue on public schools, still enjoys the support of 56 percent of Colorado voters. But that is down from a high of 65 percent recorded only a week earlier. And the medical marijuana measure, Amendment 20, wins 58 percent support, down from a 67 percent in a baseline poll at the end of September.The poll, conducted by Ciruli Associates, surveyed 400 registered voters.The margin of error is such that all results could be off 4.9 points in either direction.The new numbers show that activists opposing the measures may just now be focusing on them, pollster Floyd Ciruli said."Historically, some things get decided early," he said."It's clear that we've made a decision on growth and taxes. But anything that is below 60 (percent support) - all of those are within the range that things can definitely happen toward the last week." Having practically killed the Amendment 21 tax cut (now supported by just 28 percent of Colorado voters) and the Amendment 24 growth-control measure (30 percent support), some political activists now are addressing education and marijuana, he said."Now they're turning their eyes to what they think is the third and most deadly - from their point of view - amendment that could affect the state budget," he said. Opponents argue that the education amendment could divert money from other state programs such as prisons and road construction.Jon Caldara, president of the conservative Independence Institute and a leader of Amendment 23 opposition, predicted support for the initiative will continue to decline."All the polls show it trending very dramatically downward, so it's just a matter of time," he said. "The question is, will Election Day roll around quickly enough for them to still hold on to a victory? It's going to be very, very tight."But Cary Kennedy, the former Romer administration budget analyst and lawyer who wrote the amendment, pointed to the minority of voters opposing it. Though 15 percent of the respondents said they were still undecided, only 29 percent said they would vote against it."You're still seeing an almost 2 to 1 (difference), support over opposed," she said. Source: Denver Post (CO)Author: Jim HughesPublished: November 2, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Denver PostAddress: 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202Fax: (303) 820.1502Contact: letters denverpost.com Website: http://www.denverpost.com/Forum: http://www.denverpost.com/voice/voice.htmRelated Articles & Web Site:Anti-20 Arguments Make You Wonder http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7402.shtmlColoradans For Medical Rights http://www.medicalmarijuana.com/Flawed, But Not Fatallyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7307.shtmlVoters Favoring Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7257.shtmlEndorsement: No on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7217.shtmlMedical Marijuana Amendment Flawed http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6993.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by freedom fighter on November 02, 2000 at 20:01:57 PT Being a mountain man here with nothing to do but build houses and read newspaper, the article is nothing but a feeble attempt to stop the "insanity" as the few may think of! I firmly know that the amend. 20 will pass! I only saw one or two signs protesting the amend. 20. I predict 65% will vote this! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Kanabys on November 02, 2000 at 06:26:07 PT I'm convinced... that polls mean absolutely squatt. The only real "POLL" is on election day and after all the ballots are counted. I think amend. 20 will pass. If Coloradans have any sense it will. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: