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TOWN OF MONUMENT HOME RULE VOTER OPINION SURVEY May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Survey Objective The primary objective of this survey was to measure and understand Monument voter opinion of: ØChanging the town’s form of government from Statutory Rule to Home Rule. ØPerceptions of what Home Rule is after being informed of the process and eventual vote to approve or reject a new town charter. ØReasons why voters would support or oppose Home Rule after being informed about it. Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Methodology ØMagellan Strategies are pleased to present the results of a survey of 382 registered voters in the the Town of Monument Colorado who are likely to vote in a 2021 November election. ØThe interviews were conducted from May 25th to June 3rd, 2021, using MMS text messaging invitation and the Town’s email list. ØThe overall responses have a margin of error of 4.88% at the 95% confidence interval. ØThe survey results were weighted to be representative of the voter demographics for an odd-year election in the Town of Monument. 3 Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Survey Demographics 50% 48% 2% Female Male Identify Differently 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ 12% 19% 24% 21% 24% 82% 18% Married Single 50% 35% 14%1% Republican Unaffiliated Democrat Other 60% 28% 9% 3% Triview Town Only Village Center Lake of the Rockies Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Town of Monument Voter Registration and Past Voter Turnout Demographics 5 Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- How familiar are you about the Town’s consideration and decision to review the process of changing Monument’s form of government from Statutory Rule to Home Rule? 8% 23% 18% 50% 1% Very Familiar Somewhat Familiar Not Too Familiar Not Familiar at All No Opinion 6 Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of a Home Rule form of government? 36% 16% 48% Total Favorable Total Unfavorable Don't Know What it Is 7 Very Favorable 20% Somewhat Favorable 17% Very Unfavorable 10% Somewhat Unfavorable 6% Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Home Rule Uninformed Ballot Test The first step to change a form of government from Statutory Rule to Home Rule is putting a ballot question before voters. The ballot question will ask voters to approve or reject the formation of a Home Rule Charter Commission. In the same election, at the same time, on the same ballot voters also choose fellow residents to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission. Knowing this information, if an election were being held today and there was a ballot question asking voters to approve the creation of a Home Rule Charter Commission and at the same time select members to serve on the commission, would you vote yes and approve the ballot question, or would you vote no and reject it? 8 18% 34% 34% 41% 47% 52% 56% 57% 43% 29% 27% 13% 14% 13% 13% 19% 39% 37% 39% 46% 39% 35% 31% 24% All Dems All Unaf All Women Seniors 65+ Rep Wom All Reps Rep Men Reps 45-64 Total Approve Total Reject Undecided 41% 23% 36% Total Approve Total Reject Undecided Definitely Approve 20% Probably Approve 21% Definitely Reject 13% Probably Reject 10% All Respondents Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 We will now share information with you regarding the process of changing Monument’s form of government from Statutory Rule to Home Rule. After reading the information, please indicate if you are more likely to support a change to Home Rule or if you are more likely to oppose it. Let’s get started. Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Question Under a Home Rule form of government, Monument residents are given greater authority to create laws that meet the needs and expectations of residents rather than having a “one size fits all” statutory system. Question If approved, a Home Rule Charter Commission would have one hundred and eighty days to draft a new Town charter. The new Charter would then be approved or rejected by the voters of Monument in a future election. Question Ninety-three percent (93%) of Colorado municipal residents live in a Home Rule community. 10 Information Questions Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Question Federal and state laws under a Home Rule form of government still apply, but Home Rule municipalities have the power to make laws and policies regarding local issues with minimal state intervention instead of using a “one size fits all” statutory system. Question Under a Home Rule form of government, the Town of Monument still must abide by the TABOR Amendment, also known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This requires Monument voters to approve any future sales tax or mill levy increases. 11 Information Questions Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Question Under Home Rule, the Monument Board of Trustees will be able to protect and preserve the uniqueness of Monument’s values, culture and allow residents to have control of future changes to the Town. Question After a new town charter is drafted by the Home Rule Commission members, Monument voters would have an election to vote to approve it or reject it. 12 Information Questions Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 13 71% 71% 73% 13% 17% 11% 16% 12% 16% #7 #6 #5 More Likely to Support More Likely to Oppose Undecided Information Questions That Increase Support for Home Rule Ballot Measure Question Under a Home Rule form of government, the Town of Monument still must abide by the TABOR Amendment, also known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This requires Monument voters to approve any future sales tax or mill levy increases. Question Under Home Rule, the Monument Board of Trustees will be able to protect and preserve the uniqueness of Monument’s values, culture and allow residents to have control of future changes to the Town. Question After a new town charter is drafted by the Home Rule Commission members, Monument voters would have an election to vote to approve it or reject it. Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 14 64% 69% 67% 70% 17% 12% 19% 16% 19% 19% 14% 14% #2 #3 #1 #4 More Likely to Support More Likely to Oppose Undecided Information Questions That Increase Support for Home Rule Ballot Measure Question Federal and state laws under a Home Rule form of government still apply, but Home Rule municipalities have the power to make laws and policies regarding local issues with minimal state intervention instead of using a “one size fits all” statutory system. Question Under a Home Rule form of government, Monument residents are given greater authority to create laws that meet the needs and expectations of residents rather than having a “one size fits all” statutory system. Question Ninety-three percent (93%) of Colorado municipal residents live in a Home Rule community. Question If approved, a Home Rule Charter Commission would have one hundred and eighty days to draft a new Town charter. The new Charter would then be approved or rejected by the voters of Monument in a future election. Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Home Rule Informed Ballot Test Now that you have read information about a Home Rule Charter Commission and how it would work, if an election were being held today would you vote YES and approve a ballot measure to create a Home Rule Charter Commission and at the same time select members to serve on the commission, or would you vote NO and reject it? 15 39% 45% 48% 50% 61% 63% 66% 78% 44% 31% 23% 22% 21% 16% 12% 8% 17% 24% 29% 27% 18% 20% 22% 14% All Dems Unaf Wom All Unaf Unaf 65+ All Women All Men Seniors 65+ All Reps Total Approve Total Reject Undecided 62% 18% 20% Total Approve Total Reject Undecided Definitely Approve 29% Probably Approve 33% Definitely Reject 11% Probably Reject 7% All Respondents Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 16 Reasons Why 62% of Voters Would Approve a Home Rule Ballot Measure “Please describe the reasons why you would vote yes and approve a ballot measure to create a Home Rule from of government.” Major Themes Local control, local control, local control Like the idea of not having to follow state government statutes Preserve Monument’s character Under our current system it appears that we, the citizens are required to obey what the communists running the state legislature in Denver decide. Freedom is always the right choice. – Male, 45-54, Unaffilliated I think Home Rule could be beneficial for the town but am concerned about who might be elected to the commission. – Female, 55-64, Democrat So we can protect the small town feel of Monument and not have to follow rules for big cities such as Denver. – Female, 65+, Republican Most of the time, local government is better suited to finding solutions to local issues/problems than state government. – Male, 45-54, Unaffiliated I lived in home rule community prior to moving to Monument. I want the town to make decisions on behalf of its residents without unnecessary state oversight. I believe this community favors more conservative values than the state. Colorado is becoming far too liberal. – Female, 55-64, Republican I am all in, my concern would be ensuring that commission members actually represent Monument's values. There have been a few "wolves in sheep's clothing" in recent elections, particularly for school board. – Male, 35-44, Unaffiliated I moved here because I don't want to be lumped into Colorado Springs values, culture, etc. We need to preserve that. – Female, 35-44, Republican Monument is a unique area and I think it would be better protected under home rule where the people living in the area have the majority of say. – Female, 35-44, Republican Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 17 Reasons Why 62% of Voters Would Approve a Home Rule Ballot Measure Word Cloud “Please describe the reasons why you would vote yes and approve a ballot measure to create a Home Rule from of government.” Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 18 Reasons Why 18% of Voters Would Oppose a Home Rule Ballot Measure “Please describe the reasons why you would vote no and reject a ballot measure to create a Home Rule from of government.” Major Themes Disagree With Board of Trustee Actions and Think Will Give Them More Power Differences in Political Views Want More Information After the letter about masking and following state guidelines regarding open businesses, I no longer trust the town council to make decisions best suited for Monument. That decision was one made solely on political grounds with faulty logic and science applied afterwards. – Female, 18-34, Democrat Monument local government already disregards state government statutory authority on a whim to appeal to right wing base. I don't trust that giving you more legal authority would lead to more and more radical local laws. – Male, 45-54, Democrat I don’t think that residents have the knowledge or foresight to make good governance decisions. – Female, 35-44, Unaffiliated I don’t want a bunch of jerks who think they know what is best for me to do this. I feel like some people of Monument are entirely too conservative and want to take us backward rather than forward and being progressive. – Female, 55-64, Republican Having residents serve on the board and be able to change laws that affect the entire city sound like one big HOA that we all have to abide by. This is one of the reasons I moved here. Home Rule would effectively ruin Monument. – Female, 55-64, Unaffiliated The Town of Monument Board Members cannot be trusted with this type of decision. They don’t understand basic town business. We need a more dedicated experienced leaders to handle this type of initiative. – Male, 55-64, Republican The HR commission has too much control over my life, and all of our lives. If the state says a child can't open carry, and the home rule says the child can, then I would be horrified. – Female, 65+, Democrat I still don’t understand Home Rule and am concerned about the conservative bent of the town may create laws that I am not in agreement with. – Female, 55-64, Unaffiliated Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 19 Reasons Why 18% of Voters Would Oppose a Home Rule Ballot Measure Word Cloud “Please describe the reasons why you would vote no and reject a ballot measure to create a Home Rule from of government.” Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 20 Change in Support for Home Rule Ballot Measure 41% 23% 36% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Total Approve Total Reject Undecided 62% 18% 20% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Total Approve Total Reject Undecided Uninformed Ballot Test Informed Ballot Test +21 Uninformed -5 -16 Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 21 Change in Support for Home Bond Measure By Voter Subgroup All Voters All Men All Wom. Seniors 65+ All Rep. All Unaf. All Dem. 18-44 45-64 Change +21 +16 +27 +25 +26 +14 +21 +24 +16 Informed 62% 63% 61% 66% 78% 48% 39% 62% 58% Uninformed 41% 47% 34% 41% 52% 34% 18% 38% 42% Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- ØChanging a form of government is not something that happens very often in Colorado. Therefore, it is not surprising voters are unfamiliar with the process and what a “Home Rule” form of government is. This survey reflects those observations, with 48% of residents not knowing what Home Rule is and only 36% having a favorable opinion of it. ØThe uninformed ballot test measured resident support for Home Rule at 41%, opposition at 23%, and 36% of voters being undecided. These opinion levels are to be expected and typical in a Home Rule process. ØAfter learning about Home Rule and the process, voter support increases to 62%, opposition declined by 5 points to 18%, and the percentage of undecided voters declined to 20%. Among the 20% of all undecided voters, 29% leaned towards supporting Home Rule, 13% leaned towards opposing it, and 60% remained undecided. 22 Final Thoughts and Observations Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- 23 Final Thoughts and Observations ØThe primary reasons 62% of voters support Home Rule are increased local control from the state and preserving and protecting Monument’s character and values. The primary reason 18% of voters oppose Home Rule is a difference of opinion on political issues. The primary reason 20% of voters remain undecided is a need for more information. ØIf Home Rule is referred to the ballot this November, it is likely to be approved by voters. However, voter approval will be difficult if voters are uninformed about the process, uninformed about what Home Rule is, and most importantly, if the residents serving on the Charter Commission are not representative of the Monument community. Town of Monument Home Rule Voter Opinion Survey, 382n, 4.9% MoE, May 25th to June 3rd, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- David Flaherty I Courtney Sievers I Ryan Winger Magellan Strategies 1685 Boxelder Street, Suite 300 I Louisville, CO 80027 www.MagellanStrategies.com I [PHONE REDACTED] 24