WordingProposed amendment
Is eighth grade a target or a ceiling?
A ceiling. The proposal says “at no more than” an eighth-grade reading level. Simpler wording would still fit that requirement.
Our explanation · Sources below
The evidence
1 excerpt01From the original record
“BALLOT QUESTIONS SHALL BE IN PLAIN LANGUAGE AT NO MORE THAN AN EIGHTH-GRADE READING LEVEL.”
Proposed Article V, Section 1(5.6), first sentence
Colorado Secretary of State
Initiative #234 Final TextHow to read this
The phrase describes the language of the ballot question. It is not a test of a voter’s education, ability, or eligibility to vote.
What to keep in mind
The final text does not name a readability test or scoring formula. A claim that the amendment mandates a particular formula would go beyond this wording.