Durango city residents who haven’t turned in election ballots should drop them off at a designated location rather than mail them to ensure they arrive on time and get counted, according to the City Clerk’s Office.
As of Thursday, the city had received 2,485 valid ballots – 23 percent of registered voters – which is on pace to break 4,000 for the election, which would set a record, said City Clerk Amy Phillips. The previous record turnout was set during the 2015 city election, when 3,954 residents cast ballots. During that election, voters were asked to choose from four candidates running for two open City Council seats and decide whether to extend a half-cent sales tax that originally passed in 1999, she said.
Voters this year are being asked to pick from five candidates running for three open seats on City Council and to vote “for” removing fluoride or “against” removing fluoride from the city’s drinking water.
“We’ve had a very busy election this week with people coming in,” Phillips said.
About 730 mail ballots were returned with undeliverable addresses, including 111 overseas ballots, Phillips said. Twenty eight residents returned ballots with no signatures, she said.
For the first time in recent memory, election officials and the La Plata County Jail staff made announcements and posted notices inside the jail, letting inmates know of the election and their right to vote if they’re city residents and not serving time for a felony conviction. As of Thursday, the jail was aware of four inmates who wanted to register to vote for the city election, Phillips said.
La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Lee Parker planned to make a trip to the jail early next week to check their eligibility and deliver ballots to those who qualify.
Several residents who live outside city limits have requested to vote, Phillips said. But only city residents are allowed to vote in the city election, per state statue.
“You have to be in the municipality limits to be able to vote,” she said. “We have property owners that own property here but live in the county and can’t vote because it’s where you’re registered – where you reside.”
Ballots can be dropped off at two locations: the City Clerk’s Office inside City Hall, 949 East Second Ave., or at the 24-hour drop box at the La Plata County Clerk’s Office, 98 Everett St., Suite C, in Bodo Industrial Park.
Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday to be counted.
The city Clerk’s Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Monday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Residents voting in person should bring identification to allow the clerk’s office to verify that they are registered.
To register, visit the Colorado secretary of state’s website or register in person at the La Plata County Clerk’s Office in Bodo Industrial Park.
Herald Staff Writer Mary Shinn contributed to this report. shane@durangoherald.com
