Affirmative action ban fails
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DENVER — Colorado voters became the first in the nation to reject a ban on state affirmative action programs, narrowly defeating a measure that California businessman Ward Connerly has helped pass in four states.
“More than anything else, more than anything, it was the tendency to just vote no,” Connerly said, blaming a complicated state ballot and the groundswell of support for Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president-elect.
By 51% to 49%, Coloradans rejected a proposed constitutional ban on considering race or gender in state hiring, contracting and college admissions. The race was tight; the Associated Press didn’t declare a winner until Friday.
In Nebraska, 58% of voters approved an affirmative action ban this week. California, Michigan and Washington also have passed a ban.
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