On Jan. 6, State Representative Iman Jodeh was elected as State Senator for District 29, and she has resigned from her seat in State House District 41. Colorado law requires a vacant General Assembly seat to be filled by a pre-existing committee of the same political party, according to C.R.S. 1-12-203. 

The HD41 Vacancy Committee Meeting and election of the replacement State Representative took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 6:15 pm.  Jamie Jackson was elected as the new State Representative. The Vacancy Committee Meeting was livestreamed and can still be seen on YouTube at this link.

An HD41 Candidate Forum was held live and broadcast via webinar on Thursday, January 16 at 7 pm.  It was recorded solely for the benefit of voting members who could not attend or watch at that time.  

Who can run in a legislative vacancy?

Any United States citizen, 25 years of age or older who has been a registered Democrat (if the seat was held by a Democrat) living in the district for at least a year beforehand. You can use the Secretary of State's Find My Registration link to verify your district residency and the date you affiliated with a party. 

Who gets to vote in a legislative vacancy?

This latest vacancy committee was made up of people living in State House District 41 who hold certain official roles in the Democratic Party. These roles are mostly elected volunteer positions. Democratic state legislators who live in this district are also members.

Can I become a vacancy committee member?

Not when a vacancy is announced. To keep the process as fair as possible, no new members can be added.

Can I become a vacancy committee member in the future?

Every odd-numbered year in February, each county party holds a reorganization meeting ("reorg"). Any registered Democrat can run for party positions in districts they live in. Along with the opportunity to vote in vacancy elections if needed, you'll also get to know your Democratic neighbors, help influence state and local policy, help elect your future public officials, and most importantly, preserve our American civic traditions and freedoms while helping to build the future we all deserve. 

Other committee members (precinct organizers) are elected at caucus in even-numbered years. Some may be appointed to fill empty positions at other times. This is not allowed after a vacancy is announced.

Arapahoe Democrats' next reorg will be Feb. 8, 2025. Click here to learn more!

Why does Colorado use vacancy committees?

The vacancy committee method is fast, so it helps keep representation in place. This is most important when a seat is empty during the legislative session. Also, the process does not use taxpayer money, and it respects the will of the voters by finishing the term with someone who largely shares the values of the person they originally elected. 

Are there downsides to vacancy committees?

Yes. The big downside is that a very small number of people have a great deal of power. Most other voters don't even know these committees exist until suddenly there's a brief flurry of news about one. Another challenge is that committee members don't get a lot of time to hear from the new candidates. And the process can be hard on the volunteers who need to plan and run this important meeting on short notice.

What about a special election instead?

Some states use special elections to replace legislators. The positives are that public elections are a better understood process, are run by professionals, and allow far more voters to be involved. On the other hand, elections are expensive to run, and they take time to prepare, so the voters lose out on representation while waiting.

What if I want Colorado to improve or change this process?

We know a thing or two about that! Mainly: tell your state legislators what you think. A polite call or email with your ideas is good politics in action.