Election Information for Unaffiliated Voters
Barbara Crimond | Feb 23, 2018 | Comments 0
Election Information: What about registered unaffiliated voters?
Unaffiliated voters may observe a precinct caucus, but may not participate.
For the first time in Colorado unaffiliated voters will be eligible to vote a Primary Election ballot for participating political party candidates on a Major Party Ballot, i.e. Democratic or Republican. This is because Colorado voters approved Proposition 108 in the 2016 election.
Unaffiliated voters will now receive both the Democratic and Republican Primary ballots by mail this June. They may vote and return only one party’s ballot, i.e. Democratic or Republican. If a voter returns both ballots, none of them will be counted.
As an alternative for unaffiliated voters, may declare a “ballot preference” before the June 26th Primary Election at: www.govotecolorado.com or by coming into the County Clerk’s Office and then receive only one ballot for their preferred party.
This would help conserve taxpayer dollars, because counties will not pay printing and postage to send two ballots if you chose a preferred ballot style ahead of time.
Who can vote in the June 26th, Primary Election?
- Voters affiliated with a major party: may cast a ballot for candidates of the party they are affiliated with.
- Voters affiliated with a minor party: if there is a minor party contest those affiliated with that minor party may cast a ballot for those candidates.
- Unaffiliated voters: An unaffiliated voter may now cast a ballot for any one political party. If an unaffiliated voter returns a ballot with more than one major political party, the ballot will be rejected and none of the votes will be counted.
I am an unaffiliated voter. Do I have to choose in advance which party’s primary ballot to vote?
No, but you can if you want to. You have some options:
- You may choose which party’s ballot you want to get in the mail for the next primary election by selecting a party preference at govotecolorado.com or on any paper voter registration form.
- If you would rather receive a ballot packet containing all participating major parties, you can take no action or select this option when first registering to vote.
- You can also appear in person at any Voter Service and Polling Center in your county and choose the party’s ballot you want to vote.
Does selecting a ballot preference as an unaffiliated voter mean that I am joining that party?
No. An unaffiliated voter who selects a ballot preference in advance of a primary election will remain unaffiliated.
If I select a ballot preference do I have to select a ballot preference before each Primary?
Yes. Ballot preference is only good for one Primary; you will need to select a preference each time.
Does voting in a party’s primary as an unaffiliated voter mean that I am joining that party?
No. An unaffiliated voter who votes in a party’s primary will remain unaffiliated. However, the primary that you vote in will be a public record (but not how you voted).
I am an unaffiliated voter. Why did I get two ballots sent to me during a primary election?
Most unaffiliated voters will receive the ballots of both major political parties during a primary election. This allows an unaffiliated voter to choose which party’s primary they will vote in. Unaffiliated voters may only return one party’s ballot.
Returning two voted ballots will result in neither ballot counting.
The Election Department can be reached at 719-336-8011 for voter and election questions.
Media Information
By Jana Coen
Prowers County Clerk and Recorder
Filed Under: City of Granada • City of Holly • City of Lamar • City of Wiley • County • Elections • Featured • Hot Topics • Media Release
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