Elections & Voting FAQ

Election Types

There are several different types of Elections that are held. Below is a list of each type, how that election works, and some additional information. 

General Election

A General Election is held on Tuesday after the First Monday of November in even numbered Years (C.R.S. 1-1-104(17)). Offices usually seen on a General Election Ballot may contain U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, State Offices such as Governor/Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, along with Statewide and Local measures and Offices. General Elections are preceded by a Primary Election in June of the same year. Every four years a General Election is also a Presidential Election where Presidential Candidates will also appear on the ballot. Click here to view the Colorado Secretary of States General Election website for additional information.

Primary Election (Local)

A Primary Election is held on the last Tuesday in June of each even numbered year (C.R.S. 1-1-104(32)). This is a partisan election where voters affiliated with a major party will cast a ballot for candidates they are affiliated with. Voters affiliated with a minor party will cast ballots for their specific minor party candidates (if one is created by a minor party). Unaffiliated voters will receive a ballot packet with all major party ballots but they will select ONLY one ballot to vote and return (if both ballots are voted and returned, neither will be counted). Click here to view the Colorado Secretary of States Primary Election website for additional information.

Primary Election (Presidential)

A Presidential Primary takes place on a Tuesday designated by the Governor in March, but no later than the third Tuesday in March in even numbered years in which a Presidential Election will be held (C.R.S. 1-4-1203(1)). This Presidential Primary includes ONLY Presidential Candidates. Ballots cast in the Presidential Primary are nominations only, and those nominated will appear on the Presidential General Election Ballot in November. Click here to view the Colorado Secretary of States Primary Election website for additional information.

Coordinated Election

The Coordinated Election, like the General Election, is held on Tuesday after the First Monday of November, but on odd numbered years instead. A Coordinated Election is conducted by the County Clerk & Recorder on behalf of two or more political subdivisions that are hosting an election on the same day in November. The ballot may contain State, County, Municipality, School District, and Special District candidates and measures.

Colorado is a Mail Ballot State for All Elections

Colorado law allows for same day voter registration as long as the voter meets the 22 day residency requirement and can provide acceptable identification (click here to see acceptable forms) to vote their ballot. For those voters registering for the first time or changing precincts, applications can be found in the County Clerk's Office during regular business hours of Monday - Friday 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Replacement ballots can be obtained during those hours as well during an active election.

Unaffiliated Voters, Ballots, & Preference

Most people are affiliated with one of the major parties (Democrat/Republican), but many others still prefer to be Unaffiliated which does change how they vote in Primary Elections. Being unaffiliated during a Primary Election will cause those eligible electors to receive a ballot packet that contains both a Republican and Democrat ballot, but you can only vote ONE ballot and return it. If an unaffiliated voter votes both ballots and returns them both, neither ballot will be counted.

As an unaffiliated voter in Colorado, you used to be able to select a preference (Democratic or Republican), in which case you would receive the ballot of your preference instead of the packet. That has been repealed in Colorado, so preference is no longer an option when filling out/updating your voter registration and you will always receive a ballot packet.

Minor Party Affiliation

Colorado has several minor parties that you can be affiliated with when you register to vote or update your voter registration. Minor party electors will receive the same ballots with exception to a Primary Election. As an elector affiliated with a minor party, during a non-presidential Primary Election you will receive a ballot ONLY if your affiliated party has put together a ballot. If your affiliated party does not have a ballot for that election, you will not receive a ballot until the next General or Coordinated Election occurs. Click here to view the Colorado Secretary of States Primary Election website for additional information.

Tax Payer's Bill of Rights (TABOR)

The Tax Payer's Bill of Rights, commonly referred to as TABOR, is an amendment to the State Constitution approved in 1992 that limits the amount of revenue the State of Colorado can retain and spend. This amendment also requires voter approval for any measure on the ballot (local or State level) that increases Taxes.

For additional information about TABOR you can refer to the below links.

• Colorado Department of Revenue - TABOR
• Colorado General Assembly - TABOR

Election Judges

Election Judges are eligible electors who assist with the running and processing of Elections in Colorado, and they perform many different jobs depending on what roles are needed. Election Judges are also the Citizen level workers who help keep our Elections secure, safe, and running smooth.

Would you like to be an Election Judge?

We would like you to be an Election Judge, and the more people we can sign up to be an Election Judge, the better we can run an Election.

There is however a lack of information on what it means to be an Election Judge and the duties they perform. For a quick understanding of what is expected of an Election Judge, please take a minute to review the document So you want to be an Election Judge? (PDF).

If you are still interested in possibly becoming an Election Judge, continue to read for additional information.

Am I eligible to be an Election Judge?

Eligibility requirements are really quite simple and consist of the following (C.R.S. 1-6-101):

• They are registered electors of the state and are willing to serve;
• They are physically and mentally able to perform and complete assigned tasks;
• They will attend a class of instruction concerning the tasks of an Election Judge prior to each election;
• They have never been convicted of election fraud, any other election offense, or fraud; and
• They are neither a candidate who name appears on the ballot in the precinct that they are appointed to serve nor a member of the immediate family, related by blood, marriage, or civil union to the second degree, of a candidate whose name appears on the ballot in the precinct that they are appointed to serve

How can I become an Election Judge?

To be considered to be an Election Judge you must do one of the below actions depending on your affiliation.

• Major Party (C.R.S. 1-6-102): You must attend the Precinct Caucus for your party and sign-up to be considered
  • A Major Party Caucus must take place during even-numbered years between the first Tuesday in March and the first Saturday after the first Tuesday in March (C.R.S. 1-3-102)
  • To find out when your parties caucus is being held, you will need to reach out to your Party Chair or designated official
• Minor Party (C.R.S. 1-6-103.5): An authorized official of the minor party can provide a list of recommended electors to the County Clerk directly
• Unaffiliated (C.R.S 1-6-103.7): As an unaffiliated eligible elector you can submit in writing directly to the County Clerk that you would like to be considered as an Election Judge