Let’s call this what it is.
When Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade says he will fight to keep city elections in April, he is not defending democracy. He, and other city officials like City Councilor Roland Rainey and Chief of Staff Wayne Williams, are defending a system that protects power.
Thatās why, as CPR reports, voting rights groups are suing Colorado Springs over when the city holds its elections.
Colorado Springsā turnout record in municipal elections is clear: the current system is not working.
April elections produce lower turnout. Period.
Fewer people participate. Working-class people participate less. Communities of color participate less. More voters miss local elections entirely because they happen outside the election cycle most people are already engaged in.
That is not democracy functioning at its best.
That is democracy narrowed.
And when democracy narrows, power expands.
Mayor Mobolade keeps framing this fight around preserving Colorado Springs’ home rule authority.
Let’s talk about what that really means.
Because when politicians start talking about protecting authority, people should pay close attention to who actually benefits from that authority remaining untouched.
Authority for what?
Authority over what?
Authority for whom?
If protecting home rule means protecting a broken election system that produces low turnout and reduced participation, then we need to be honest about what is actually being defended.
A smaller, quieter, more disengaged voting base is easier to predict, easier to influence, and easier to manipulate.
That is the truth.
One thing people need to learn how to do is recognize bullshit when it’s happening.
The City of Colorado Springs has been sued over and over again since Yemi took office. We’ve seen lawsuits involving police misconduct, abuse of power, and illegal actions by city officials. We’ve seen multimillion-dollar settlements paid out because of wrongdoing.
Where was the press conference then?
Where was the public urgency?
Where was the passionate defense of the city?
Where was the public address demanding accountability?
I’ll answer that.
It wasn’t there.
And that should tell you something.
Because now, suddenly, when this lawsuit threatens the power structure itself, the mayor is front and center trying to shape public opinion.
Why now? Because this is about power.
There is power in low voter turnout, in a disengaged public.
There is power in people not fully understanding what is happening around them.
And there is power in people believing we have no real recourse to challenge the systems governing their lives other than protesting and picketing.
That is how power protects itself.
Not always through force.
Not always through corruption out in the open.
Most times power protects itself by keeping people disconnected, distracted, and disengaged.
That is exactly why this moment matters.
