Advance Colorado Placed Redistricting Measure on Ballot
Amendment 86 seeks to require court approval for any off-cycle congressional map changes in Colorado.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Elections
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The conservative nonprofit Advance Colorado has successfully placed Amendment 86 on the ballot to regulate how congressional districts are redrawn. The measure mandates independent oversight to prevent political manipulation of maps.
Why it matters
Advance Colorado proposed the measure to protect the integrity of the state's eight congressional districts by preventing attempts to rig maps. The proposal follows past efforts by political parties to alter district boundaries.
Amendment 86 requires the Independent Redistricting Commission and the Colorado Supreme Court to approve any off-cycle congressional district changes. The measure also mandates that officials conduct three public hearings before implementing any map adjustments.
The players
Advance Colorado
This is a conservative nonprofit organization that advocates for specific policy changes within the state.
Independent Redistricting Commission
This is the body responsible for overseeing the redrawing of electoral maps to ensure neutrality.
Colorado Supreme Court
This is the highest judicial authority in the state, which has previously intervened in redistricting disputes.
The details
Under the proposed amendment, new maps cannot intentionally favor a single political party or unnecessarily divide communities. This initiative arrives following instances in 2025 where political parties allegedly attempted to manipulate district boundaries.
Timeline
2018: Coloradans passed Amendment Y to establish fairer redistricting processes.
2025: Political parties initiated efforts to manipulate congressional district maps.
2028: This year serves as a potential cycle for when officials might redraw congressional districts.
2030: This year serves as a potential cycle for when officials might redraw congressional districts.
Political Context
Opponents of the measure argue that the 55% supermajority threshold creates an unnecessarily high barrier for changing election administration rules. Critics also suggest that mandating court involvement could unnecessarily politicize the judicial branch in redistricting disputes.
If passed, the measure will change the legal process required for modifying congressional boundaries in the state. Residents will see increased oversight and mandatory public hearings whenever district lines are proposed for adjustment.
The takeaway
Voters should monitor the 55% requirement closely as it dictates the viability of future redistricting reforms. The outcome of this vote will determine whether the state adds a layer of judicial review to its election map process.
Further reading
For more background on how voting measures impact the state, visit Colorado Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
Live Poll
Should political parties be restricted from redrawing congressional district maps during off-cycle years?
