Election 2024: Shaping food policy in Colorado & beyond
September 23, 2024
With less than two months until Election Day, it's critical that all eligible voters are registered and prepared to vote on Tuesday, November 5.
In the 2024 election, Colorado voters will make decisions that affect the future of our nation, state, and local communities—including electing the next President, eight U.S. Representatives, and state and local legislators, as well as weighing in on critical ballot initiatives.
Voting is a powerful tool to shape food policy at all levels.
At the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, we believe voting is fundamental to achieving meaningful change in food systems and beyond. It strengthens our collective voice, enabling us to demand policies that reflect our needs and values.
Here's why your vote counts:
Federal elections
The federal government sets the foundation for agricultural and food policy through legislation like the Farm Bill. With the 2018 Farm Bill expiring on September 30, 2024, future legislation depends on who we elect this November. Who you vote for will influence important decisions about funding and policies related to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), food access, and more. Even though you don’t vote on the specifics of the Farm Bill, the representatives you elect will negotiate what’s included, making your vote crucial.
Additionally, the President appoints cabinet members, including the Secretary of Agriculture, who oversee vital food programs like SNAP. Your choice for President has a direct impact on the policies that govern food security, ensuring they align with your values.
State and local elections
At the state level, Colorado’s General Assembly plays a major role in food policy. The legislators you choose in November will influence the direction of policies that impact your local food system. Understanding the priorities of your State Senator and Representative helps you vote in alignment with your values, as they decide what bills move forward during legislative sessions.
Local elections are equally important. By voting for city council members, mayors, and school boards, you impact how local services, zoning, transportation, and housing policies shape food access in your community. Local officials have a direct role in determining how land is used and how communities access food systems.
Ballot measures
Ballot measures, also known as propositions or initiatives, are decided directly by voters and often skip the legislative process. They give Coloradans the opportunity to have a direct impact on specific policy decisions or issues within their jurisdiction.
At the state and local level, ballot measures have some of the biggest influences on our daily lives. Unlike other states, Colorado has TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights), which requires voters to decide if and how much of taxpayer dollars can be kept for programs and services across Colorado. These decisions are made through ballot measures.
Read more about the 14 ballot measures that we’ll decide upon this November.
The Blueprint’s Policy and Community Justice team encourages you to make your voice heard by voting down the ballot, helping to shape the future of food policy in Colorado and beyond.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.
Registration deadline:
October 28, 2024: Register or update your registration online or by mail.
November 5, 2024: In-person registration
Be sure to return your ballot to a drop-off box by 7 p.m. on Election Day. If you’re returning by mail, give it time to make it through the postal system. Check on the status of your mail-in ballot.
Learn more about voting in Colorado and find out what’s on your ballot.