More states are looking to join something well-established in Colorado, the use of mail-in ballots for elections, but even with more ballots going through the mail, La Plata County’s top election official doesn’t anticipate any delays in November’s election.
Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Parker, who is on the Postal Committee of the Colorado County Clerks Association, said she has been told by the U.S. Postal Service that election materials make up less than 2% of all mailed material between mid-September and Election Day.
Parker said the printer she uses in Phoenix, which specializes in ballots, has a few more clients this election, but that will not delay the printing of ballots for La Plata County.
“I’m very confident nothing’s going to change. It’s been the same for Colorado since 2013,” she said. “You hear a lot about mail-in ballots now, but what’s happening nationally isn’t going to affect what we do in Colorado. With all the talk nationally, it just seems concern has been heightened. But I’m very confident we’re going to be fine.”
Parker plans to mail General Election ballots on Oct. 9, and she said if a voter has not received a ballot by Oct. 16, he or she should go to the clerk’s office to receive a replacement ballot.
“I’ve always been a mail ballot advocate because I believe there’s a ton of security within it, it gets the ballot into the hands of the voter quickly, and it gives time for voters to educate themselves on the issues versus coming into the polls,” she said.
The post master at the Durango post office is out of town this week and unavailable for comment.
Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than Oct. 26 to ensure they arrive in time to be counted by 7 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 3.
After Oct 26, voters should drop off ballots one of five drop-off boxes across the county:
Clerk and Recorder’s Office, 679 Turner Drive, Durango.Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, Bayfield.La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., Durango.Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango.Farmers Fresh Market, 535 Goddard Ave., Ignacio.For those who prefer to cast their ballots in person, Voter Service Polling Centers will be set up beginning Oct. 19 at the clerk’s office, and beginning Oct. 26 at Bayfield Town Hall.
Three other Voter Service Polling Centers will open Nov. 2 and on Election Day, Nov. 3, at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College; the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, 503 Ouray Drive in Ignacio; and La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. in Durango.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
