The Colorado Supreme Court rejected three ballot measures Monday that would have altered the state’s independent redistricting process ahead of the 2028 elections.
The proposals, backed by Coloradans for a Level Playing Field, sought to temporarily suspend Colorado’s independent redistricting commission and allow voters to approve new congressional maps for 2028 and 2030. The commission was established by voters in 2018.
The Court’s Decision
In three separate unanimous opinions, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that each measure violated the state’s constitutional “single subject” requirement. “Changing the constitutionally mandated frequency of redistricting – however temporary the change – is not merely a mechanism to administer the new congressional district map,” Chief Justice Monica Marquez wrote.
Marquez added that the proposal “represents a seismic shift to Colorado’s longstanding redistricting process enshrined in the state constitution.” The court found that even dividing the original proposal into two separate ballot measures failed to satisfy the single-subject requirement.
National Redistricting Battle
The Colorado decision comes amid a broader national debate over mid-decade congressional redistricting. President Donald Trump encouraged Republican-led states last year to consider redrawing maps to strengthen GOP control of the U.S. House.
Democrats have encountered obstacles in states with independent redistricting commissions, including Colorado. Virginia Democrats advanced a similar ballot measure this year, but the Virginia Supreme Court blocked it from taking effect after voters initially approved it.
The Virginia Precedent
The Virginia court found in a 5-2 ruling that Democratic lawmakers violated procedural requirements when placing the referendum on the ballot. The decision erased what Democrats hoped would become a 10-1 advantage in the state’s congressional delegation.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries faced criticism after the Virginia ruling. “The law is with us in Virginia,” Jeffries had previously said while promoting the redistricting plan.
What’s Next
Republicans currently hold advantages created by redistricting efforts across the country as the 2026 midterm elections approach. The battle began last year when Texas Republicans, encouraged by Trump, moved to redraw congressional districts to strengthen GOP positions.
A spokesperson for Coloradans for a Level Playing Field did not immediately comment on the Colorado Supreme Court’s rulings.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Elections team contributed to this report.
