Colorado Republicans Fight Own Party Over Primary Voting Rights

$0. That's what unaffiliated voters in Colorado will be able to contribute to the Republican party's primary process if the state GOP gets its way. But the four Colorado Republicans in Congress - Lauren Boebert, Jeff Crank, Jeff Hurd, and Gabe Evans - are fighting back against their own party's attempt to block these voters from participating in the primaries.

In a motion filed on Thursday night, the group, along with the National Republican Congressional Committee, asked a federal judge to let them intervene in a lawsuit that could determine the fate of unaffiliated voters in the Republican primary. The party is opposing this intervention effort, which is just the latest sign of deep divisions and disorganization heading into a critical election season.

For context, unaffiliated voters make up a majority of the state's active, registered electorate. They've been able to cast ballots in either the state's Democratic or Republican primaries since 2018. But the state Republican party is trying to change that, citing a ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer that found a requirement in Colorado law to be unconstitutional. The party's lawyers, Randy Corporon and Alexander Haberbush, argue that since the opt-out vote had to happen by October 1, 2025, and Brimmer's ruling wasn't issued until March 31, unaffiliated voters should be blocked from participating in the Republican primaries to prevent "irreparable constitutional injury." But the four Republican congressmen disagree, saying that preventing unaffiliated voters from casting ballots in the primary "could cause chaos." Let's do the math. If the effort to block unaffiliated voters succeeds, it could significantly impact the election outcomes. In the 3rd Congressional District, for example, Jeff Hurd is facing a primary challenge from former state Rep. Ron Hanks, a far-right candidate who has embraced election conspiracy theories. If unaffiliated voters are blocked from participating, it could give Hanks an advantage, as his base is likely more solidly Republican.

On paper, the argument may seem convincing, but in practice, it's a different story. The attempt to block unaffiliated voters from the primary is seen by many as a desperate attempt to cling to power. And the four Republican congressmen are right to fight back against it.

The practical impact of this lawsuit will be significant. If the state Republican party succeeds, it could lead to a decrease in voter turnout and a lack of representation for unaffiliated voters. But if the four Republican congressmen succeed in their intervention, it could lead to a more inclusive and representative primary process.

In the end, this lawsuit is not just about the Republican party's internal struggles, but about the fundamental right to vote. And for folks around here, it's a reminder that our elected officials should be working to increase voter participation, not decrease it. The cost of this lawsuit, both financially and democratically, will be significant, and it's a cost that we can't afford to pay.