Opinion ID: 1257891
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Statutory Interpretation Argument

Text: The Morans argue that section 1-7-309, relating to voting in general, and section 1-4-1001, relating to write-in voting, are general and specific statutes on the same subject. To the extent these two statutes conflict, they argue, section 1-4-1001 must control. The only logical way for section 1-4-1001 to control, they claim, would be to disregard the name of write-in candidate Brinker and to treat the four contested ballots as votes for Moran. The Morans' statutory interpretation argument is unpersuasive. It is true that where specific and general statutes on the same subject conflict, the provisions of the specific statute prevail. State v. Dayhoff, 199 Colo. 363, 365, 609 P.2d 119, 121 (1980). The Morans' argument, however, assumes that section 1-4-1001 and section 1-7-309 deal with the same subject. They do not. Section 1-4-1001 regulates the conduct of write-in candidates. It is designed to promote the orderly registration of write-in candidates by prohibiting the write-in candidate who fails to file a timely affidavit of intent from accumulating votes. [8] It is also designed to shield a noncandidate from the legal duty of representing an electorate he had no desire to serve. Section 1-7-309, by contrast, regulates the conduct of voters. It is designed to promote an accurate and honest vote and to effectuate where possible the intent of the electorate by rejecting only those ballots showing more names than persons to be elected to an office. Because the two statutes are designed for different purposes, they do not treat the same subject. In addition, the two statutes do not conflict. As an example of the typical situation in which the specific statute controls over a conflicting general statute on the same subject, one statute may prescribe a six-year limitations period during which a general tort claim may be brought, while another statute may prescribe a three-year limitations period during which a product liability claim may be brought. A product liability claim that accrued five years before it was filed would be barred under the more specific statute but not barred under the general statute. It would not be possible to give effect to both statutes. Those two statutes therefore conflict and, under familiar principles of statutory interpretation, the three-year limitations period would apply to bar the claim. See Persichini v. Brad Ragan, Inc., 735 P.2d 168, 172-73 (Colo.1987). In this case, however, it is possible to give effect to both section 1-4-1001 and section 1-7-309. The four contested ballots cannot count for Brinker in the District 3 race either under section 1-4-1001 or under section 1-7-309. They cannot count for Brinker under section 1-4-1001 because he did not file an affidavit of intent for the District 3 race. They cannot count for Brinker under section 1-7-309 because the electors marked on each ballot two names for the District 3 race. By contrast, although section 1-4-1001 says nothing about whether the four ballots which cannot be counted for Brinker may be counted for Moran, section 1-7-309 makes clear that ballots showing two names for one office are defective and may not be counted. Because it is possible to give effect to both statutes, they do not conflict.