DENVER (AP) -- Colorado has new rules for public review of voted ballots under a controversial measure signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper.
Supporters of the bill signed Thursday say it's necessary to prevent chaos in the November election. But critics have called it a blow to open government.
The Denver Post reports that opponents plan to file a lawsuit to stop the law from taking effect. Opponents include of the Colorado Lawyers Committee Election Task Force and groups such as Common Cause and Colorado Ethics Watch.
The Colorado County Clerks Association pushed for the legislation following a 2011 Colorado Court of Appeals ruling that made voted ballots public records.
The clerks were concerned open records requests for ballots might overwhelm their offices, particularly around election time.
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