The chief elections officer for the state's largest county hopes to sidestep statehouse Democrats and require proof of citizenship for those registering to vote--echoing a pending immigration-reform proposal by the legislative GOP. In a front-page story, The Colorado Springs Gazette reported today that El Paso County Clerk Bob Balink is exploring ways to take such action because Democrats who control the legislature

refuse to safeguard the voting process against abuse by non-citizens.

"A (Democrat) party agenda here in the state says access to the ballot for everyone is more important than determining their eligibility," Balink said. “That’s nuts in my mind."

Balink, a Republican, also told The Gazete, “If the law says that you must be a citizen to vote and we’re not requiring proof that you are, then we’re not following the law."

According to The Gazette, Balink wants to enact a proof-of-citizenship policy in the county on the assumption it will be challenged in court. The court then could determine the policy’s constitutionality, and the Legislature would be forced to debate the matter.

Senate Republican leader Andy McElhany, of Colorado Springs, welcomed Balink's announced move, which reinforces a bill that McElhany is sponsoring in the Senate with Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, of the House, to do the same thing. Republicans have made previous attempts in the legislature to secure the voter-registration process but have been stopped by ruling Democrats. McElhany said he hoped Balink's effort could help end the impasse.

"I understand his frustration with the legislature, and I sympathize," he said. "Maybe this effort by the top elections official in our most populous county will break the logjam. Frankly, I hope it shames the ruling party in Denver into doing the right thing."

McElhany also expressed frustration of his own with Democrat opposition to requiring proof of citizenship to register.

"It is not onerous, and it is not intrusive. You only have to do it once--when you register--which is a small price to pay to ensure the security of our democratic process," he said. "Really, is it too much to ask that only American citizens vote in American elections?" 

Last month, Republicans included the measure in the immigration-reform agenda they announced for the 2008 legislative session.

Balink and other El Paso County officials support the new GOP bill but say they want to hedge their bets with an initiative of their own.

“The Democratic Legislature has shown a consistent refusal to even allow votes on the subject of legislation that would require proof of citizenship,” said El Paso County Commissioner Wayne Williams.