Colorado recount possible on slavery in state Constitution

By JAMES ANDERSON
Nov. 16, 2016 2:20 AM EST

DENVER (AP) — It seemed like a no-brainer: Colorado's voters were asked to eliminate an archaic and offensive reference to slavery as a punishment for a crime in the state Constitution. But a week after the vote, the poorly-written amendment is on the cusp of failing, and a lack of clarity from lawmakers may be to blame.

Adopted before President Ulysses S. Grant proclaimed Colorado a state in 1876, the constitution declares: "There shall never be in this state either slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime."

That language mirrors the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that outlawed slavery in 1865.

Both chambers of Colorado's Legislature voted unanimously to refer Amendment T to voters. But it appeared on a state-issued voter's guide under the title, "No Exception to Involuntary Servitude Prohibition." The actual ballot question wasn't much clearer.

Not only that: The voter guide included arguments against the measure, even though there was no organized opposition.

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