Oops.
Amid a flurry of campaigning and letters to the editor, La Plata Electric Association has learned that some of the election materials were mailed without ballots in District 4, and with the incorrect ballots in District 2.
Of the 31,818 ballots mailed, 735 members in District 4 and 364 members in District 2 will receive new election materials, according to a press release from LPEA. The supplemental ballots were mailed Wednesday. In District 2, which covers the south and western end of La Plata County, the incorrect ballot was inserted in member packets with last names at the beginning of the alphabet. In District 2, which includes approximately 8,300 members, two new candidates, Gregg Dubit and Kohler McInnis are running for the seat.
LPEA members in District 4, with essentially last names beginning P through S, received election packets without ballots. District 4 is the north and east end of the county. Incumbent Heather Erb is defending her seat against new candidate Karen Barger in District 4. Approximately 7,900 eligible voters are in District 4.
"We are very sorry this has occurred with our election," said Mike Dreyspring, the CEO of LPEA. "We've worked with our local printer to source the issues and identify the members who didn't receive or received incorrect ballots and they will have their ballots in the next several days."
Ballots must be returned by 4 p.m., Friday, May 15 to the La Plata County Clerk's Office, either by mail or in person. If not voting by mail, members can vote in person at the LPEA annual meeting at Pagosa Springs High School on Saturday, May 16. Registration for the meeting begins at 9 a.m., with the business meeting to commence at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch. Anyone voting at the annual meeting must do so prior to 10:30 a.m.
