Good evening, and welcome to our Open Thread! Can you believe it's already been a month? This thread is so... well it's not tall, per se, and it hasn't outgrown any clothing because that makes no sense. But still.
We're feeling a taste of autumn in much of the state, following a cold frontal passage on Monday. It speaks of harvest, football, pulling out some warmer clothing, and the new school year, which brings us to the aforementioned validation: the validation of more than enough signatures to put the recall of the conservative majority of the Jefferson County School Board on the ballot.
I'm sure you have followed this story if you live in Denver metro, and I'm fairly certain you have followed it if you live in the state, or even anywhere in the nation. Shortly after their election in 2013, the three conservative "reformers" who form a board majority have done exactly what we've come to expect (& what is still ongoing in good ol' Douglas County in our state's Red Zone). For a great summary, check out this diary by BetteNoir.
But now, the recall petitions have all been turned in, and the signatures have been validated, so JeffCo will head to the polls to redo that vote. I love everything about this news: Jefferson County, a recall, a very large number of signatures, vengeance... there's only ONE THING looming on the horizon, like the dark clouds of the coming autumn we can taste in the air today: potential a loss. A turnout failure due to the odd numbered year when JeffCo will be voting.
I have plenty of faith in the organizers to GOTV. They will whip it, whip it good. Everyone who signed is someone who is a probably voter, and who knows others, so that campaign will be working hard. But I know, as do you, that any non-Presidential year presents a turnout challenge, and part of me is still stinging from the failure of the Scott Walker recall effort, distant from me though it was. This is different, though: for one thing, this will be kids reminding their parents to vote, and hopefully JeffCo's high schoolers will be on fire for this cause this fall.
Are you a JeffCo parent or teacher? Let us know what's going on in your community, and how we can help your GOTV efforts. And if you want to know how to help, please visit JeffCo United For Action.