By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice
Registration, education and turnout are all of equal importance for down-ballot candidates in the Nov. 5 general election, state Rep. Ryan Armagost told grassroots supporters Monday in a call led by former state Sen. Kevin Lundberg.
He’s among many Republicans who are encouraging efforts to continue to register new voters and educate them on the ballot.
“We need to at least triple our voter turnout,” Armagost said. “There’s too much at stake and too much to lose.”
Armagost is completing his first term in Colorado House District 64, representing portions of Larimer and Weld counties. He was preceded in the office by Richard Holtorf of Akron, who was redistricted into House District 63.
Previously a volunteer firefighter in Evans and a 10-year Larimer County deputy sheriff, Armagost served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army National Guard through a 22-year career. He was a prime sponsor of 11 bills signed by Gov. Jared Polis in his first session, which unsurprisingly involve protections for law enforcement and emergency responders, substance abuse issues, emergency communications, firearm concerns and victim’s rights, but also expand beyond his areas of background.
Armagost is concerned with education of voters, he said, considering there are seven propositions and seven amendments on the ballot to study, in addition to a lengthy list of candidates and local ballot items.
“We need to do what we can to be sure everyone is aware of what is on the ballot, and of the ballot measures,” he said. “There’s some pretty concerning items on there.”
A full list of amendments and propositions appearing on the 2024 general election ballot is available at the secretary of state’s website, or registered voters should receive a printed state Blue Book in the mail.
When a couple of Larimer County grassroots citizens on the call made the push for “Vote ‘NO’vember,” a plea to oppose any tax increases, he urged them to consider voting yes to two specific law enforcement propositions on the ballot which do not call for tax increases.
Armagost is one of four candidates on the ballot in Colorado to hold an A+ rating and endorsement from the National Rifle Association. The others are U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (nominee in 4th District), state Sen. Larry Liston (10th District) and state Rep. Matt Soper (54th District).