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Salon duc Tape – Review of Three Fort Collins Ballot Initiatives – September 23^rd, 2022

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What’s the scoop on ranked choice voting, increasing compensation for councilmembers, and holding all municipal elections in November?

At the salon on Friday, September 23^rd, we will hear from advocates of three initiatives that will be on the Fort Collins City Ballot this November.  Jody DesChenes and Evan Senie of Better Ballot Fort Collins will be speaking about Ranked Choice Voting, which would change how we elect members of City Council.  Ethnie Groves Treick of the Fair Council Pay Campaign will speak about an initiative that would increase compensation for City council members and offer council members the option to participate in the City’s healthcare-related benefits plan.  And Emily Gallichotte of Democratic Socialists of America Fort Collins will speak about an initiative that would result in holding all municipal elections in November, which is intended to make our elections more accessible and fair.

Jody co-founded Represent Fort Collins in 2017 and Ranked Choice Voting for Fort Collins in 2021, which is now the official city issue committee Better Ballot Fort Collins.  She is a CSU alumnus with Bachelor’s degrees in Human Development and Interior Design.  Evan went to Colorado State University for his MFA, taught composition at CSU for several years, and is now a marketing copywriter.  He started volunteering with Ranked Choice Voting for Fort Collins recently after becoming frustrated by the state of our democracy and alarmed by the threats it is facing.  Ethnie serves on multiple nonprofit and government boards, is a community volunteer and runs a limited partnership with investments in hospitality and multi-family real estate.  She is passionate about encouraging women to be active in their community and run for elected office.  Emily works at CSU as a research scientist.  Outside of work, she is involved in many local groups, including Democratic Socialists of America Fort Collins, Fort Collins Sustainability Group and The Growing Project. Over the last two years, Emily has been heavily involved in local, county and state politics, and regularly attends and speaks at City Council meetings.

Salon duc Tape, a public forum sponsored by the Northern Colorado Alliance for a Livable Future, meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 7:00 — 9:00 p.m. via Zoom.  You will need to register in advance for this salon here.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information – including a new link – about joining the salon.