A conservative-leaning Web site devoted to Aspen politics is making an appeal for part-time residents to change their legal residences to Pitkin County so they can vote here.
In an e-mail blast echoed by a posting on the blog www.theredant.squarespace.com, the content’s authors, Marilyn Marks and Elizabeth Milias, note the seven tax proposals on the local ballot this November. The blog plugs a voter forum on the issues to be held on Oct. 22, encourages those not registered to vote to sign up and ends with the part-time resident appeal.
“If you split your time between Aspen and another home, please consider making Aspen or Pitkin County your legal residence,” the Web site says. “Given our small voting population, your vote REALLY (sic) counts here.”
Web surfers are then offered a link to a page that explains the legal requirements surrounding switching legal residences. While there is no minimum occupancy period requirement, one must be a resident of Pitkin County for at least 30 days prior to an election and consider Pitkin County one’s sole legal residence — relinquishing the right to vote in any other state. Legal residents are also required to register their vehicles here and pay Colorado income and estate taxes.
Today is the last day to register to vote in time for the Nov. 4 election.
Marks said she is simply trying to get as much participation in the democratic process as possible. “In no way are we suggesting anything that is not above board,” she said.
With more retirees spending more time in their Aspen second homes, “those are the kind of people I think would be great if they switched over and made this their legal residence,” Marks said. “Your vote counts a whole lot more here than it does in Chicago or San Francisco.”
Before contemplating such a move, it’s important to look at the tax structure of Colorado versus whichever state prospective residents would be changing residency from, Marks said, referencing a Florida couple who considered switching, but found that they would pay more taxes in Colorado.
“It’s not something someone is going to do lightly,” Marks said.
The Red Ant (Marks won’t reveal the origin of the name) also encourages its readers to hold off on early voting until after the Oct. 22 forum. The event will focus on local ballot initiatives such as the Burlingame density question, whether or not to extend two taxes — a sales tax and the real estate transfer tax — that support affordable housing, two Pitkin County tax hikes that would support in-stream water rights and road repairs and a sales tax increase that would fund expansion of and improvements to Roaring Fork Transportation Authority service on Highway 82. An advocate and a detractor will make presentations on each issue, and the forum will be taped and rebroadcast on GrassRoots TV. Pitkin County commissioner candidates are also invited, and will be asked to share their positions on the ballot issues.
“In the upcoming election on Nov. 4, it’s not just a presidential race,” the Web site says. “The local elections and ballot initiatives affect you, your wallet and the future of Aspen/Pitkin County.”
curtis@aspendailynews.com
Comments
free riders
KNCB Moore
I bet that more than half the taxable property in Aspen,
PitCo and Snowmass Village is owned by second home owners.
And it's a safe bet that they pay more than half the local taxes.
Most of them can't vote and their money is taken for granted in
property tax hikes. This is taxation without representation . My
proposal to allow second homeowners an advisory vote was turned
down in the County Home Rule Charter. So much for social justce.
What has happened to the idea of fair and equal treatment ?