Denver - Today CDP Chair Pat Waak sent the following letter to Secretary of
State Mike Coffman concerning the status of employee Dan Kopelman.
May 16, 2007
Hon. Mike Coffman
Secretary of State
State of Colorado
1700 Broadway
Denver, CO 80290
Dear Secretary Coffman:
As you know, I have called for the termination of Mr. Kopelman's employment
with the Secretary of State's Office because of his blatant partisan activities
while employed in the office that is supposed to represent all voters in Colorado,
regardless of party affiliation. The press reports that you have relocated
Mr. Kopelman to the IT Division of the Secretary of State's Office. However,
this raises several additional concerns that I would like for you to address.
First, it is our understanding that the Colorado Secretary of State's Office
already has adequate personnel rules in place regarding outside employment.
It is our further understanding that all employees must be given a copy of
those rules and sign a statement to the effect that they have read and understood
those personnel rules. Was Mr. Kopelman given a copy of the rules regarding
outside employment? If not, why wasn't he given the rules like other employees?
If he was given the rules, did he sign a statement to the effect that he had
been given the rules and had read and understood those rules? If so, we would
like a copy of that statement and a copy of the outside employment rule. If
he did not sign such a statement, why didn't he?
Second, it has been widely reported that while Mr. Kopelman has been transferred
to the IT Division, he will still be working on the voter database or, at
least, will have access to the voter database. Is this true? If so, why would
he not be prohibited from accessing any and all election-related databases
and records, particularly in light of his blatant partisan activities? In
response to the current situation in your office regarding Mr. Kopelman, the
former IT Director of the Secretary of State's Office has stated that it is
important to keep "non-partisan professionalism" in the Secretary
of State's Office. In the interest of fairness and transparency in elections,
we do not believe that his access to any election-related databases or records
should be allowed any longer. Any and all access Mr. Kopelman may have to
any election or election-related records, databases, and materials should
be immediately and unconditionally prohibited.
Third, since Mr. Kopelman will not be in charge of certifying voting equipment,
who will be in charge? What are the qualifications of the individual who will
be in charge? Will this duty revert to Mr. John Gardner, who appears to lack
expertise in this area?
Fourth, we understand that Mr. Kopelman is the State's representative on
the EAC Standards Advisory Board. Since Mr. Kopelman has clearly shown his
inability to represent the interests of all voters of Colorado, we demand
his immediate removal as the State's representative on the Board and another,
more qualified, individual be appointed. This Republican operative on your
staff cannot fairly represent the interests of the State of Colorado on this
important Advisory Board.
Fifth, as a lateral transfer employee, is Mr. Kopelman on probation for the
usual six month to one-year period, or has he already been certified by the
Secretary of State's Office? If he was certified, when did that action occur?
While Mr. Kopelman may not be working in the Elections Division, it appears
he still has access to election records and the voter database, even after
the revelation of his partisan activities in clear violation of existing Secretary
of State personnel rules. I renew my call to immediately terminate Mr. Kopelman's
employment with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office in the interest of
fairness and transparency in elections. I strongly urge you to restore the
trust and integrity you campaigned on last year to your office which will
only continue to suffer under this cloud created by Mr. Kopelman, his partisan
activities, and his continued presence in that office.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Pat Waak
Colorado Democratic Party Chair
