Ballot Title Protest Administrative Hearing - September 3, 2026

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners held a ballot title protest administrative hearing on September 3, 2026, to address a challenge filed by petitioners regarding the wording of a ballot measure to increase the board from three to five commissioners. The petitioners argued that the board improperly added a 22-word preamble to the ballot title that included speculative fiscal impacts, which they claimed was misleading and prejudicial. They requested the board adopt the original neutral language certified by the county clerk. The board reviewed legal standards, heard arguments from both sides, and deliberated on whether the title was fair, clear, and non-prejudicial. After discussion, the board voted to deny the petitioners' challenge, finding that the title reasonably expressed the true intent and meaning of the measure and was not misleading to voters. The motion to deny the challenge passed unanimously, allowing the revised ballot title to stand for the upcoming election.