As we quickly approach the 2016 election, I would like to highlight some important details regarding caucuses, the primary election and the presidential election.
What’s new with Colorado elections?
In 2013, Colorado Legislators passed House Bill 1303, a new election law that significantly improved how Colorado county clerks conduct elections. The changes include:
All active registered voters will automatically receive a mail ballot for every election the county clerk conducts.
There are no polling places.
If you prefer to vote in person, you may surrender your mail ballot and vote at any of the three Voter Service and Polling Centers in La Plata County. Please visit our website for the specific details such as locations, dates and times they are open. www.laplatacountyclerk.org
At a VSPC, you may also drop off your marked mail ballot, obtain a replacement mail ballot, register to vote or update your registration.
As long as you have been a Colorado resident for 22 days before an election, you may register to vote, even on Election Day.
If you have not registered before and do have a Colorado Driver’s License or ID card, you may use the online option to register for the first time.
Your address must be current because ballots cannot be forwarded. Stop by our office or online at www.govotecolorado.com to update your registration and address.
Caucus Day — Tuesday, March 1
In Colorado, the process of nominating candidates for elective office begins with precinct caucuses organized by political parties.
Caucuses are local neighborhood meetings of registered voters held every general election year. Caucuses are conducted by the political parties.
At each precinct caucus meeting, delegates to county and district assemblies are elected, a presidential candidate poll may be held and local political party leaders may be selected.
Delegates chosen at caucuses will vote in later political party assemblies. The assemblies designate partisan candidates to the primary ballot for U.S. Congress, the state Legislature and other district and county offices.
Delegates to state and congressional district assemblies will vote to elect delegates to national political conventions and will vote on political party platforms.
Not all political parties will conduct a caucus. Caucuses are held in locations across Colorado and are open to the public.
The Democratic and Republican Party precinct caucuses are Tuesday, March 1.
The last day to have affiliated with a major party was Jan. 4.
The last day to have updated your voter information for your precinct was Feb. 1.
The La Plata County Clerk & Recorder does not conduct or provide ballots for caucuses. You do not need to re-register to vote in your caucus if your address and other voter information are current. For more information, contact your local political party: La Plata County Democratic Party, www.laplatadems.org and La Plata County Republican Party, www.laplatarepublicans.org
Primary Election Day: Tuesday, June 28
In 2003, Colorado passed a measure to eliminate only the presidential primary, in its place, Colorado uses the caucus process for the presidential candidates.
Only active registered voters who are affiliated with the Democratic or Republican parties will receive a mail ballot for the primary election.
Unaffiliated voters will not receive a mail ballot. If you wish to affiliate with one of the parties to vote in the primary, you may do so through Election Day.
You may also update your registration and cast a ballot through Election Day at any VSPC in La Plata County.
Primary elections are the method in which a political party nominates candidates, other than president, for an upcoming General Election.
We must provide primary ballots to both parties even if only one party has any contested races.
You may receive a party ballot with no contested races.
You do not have to vote in the Primary Election to be eligible to vote in the Presidential Election.
Presidential Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 8
All active registered voters will receive a mail ballot for the General Election, which includes president.
Check your voter registration to ensure that it is active and has your correct address at www.govotecolorado.com or call 382-6296.
You may also update your registration and cast a ballot through Election Day at any VSPC in La Plata County.
We encourage you to register to vote or update your information as soon as possible in order to ensure you receive you mail ballots correctly.
Tiffany L. Parker is the La Plata County Clerk & Recorder. To reach her or for more information, visit www.laplatacountyclerk.org or call the Clerk’s Office at 382-6296.
