Primary elections will be held across Colorado on Tuesday as voters choose the Democratic and Republican nominees who will advance to the November general election.
Ballots were mailed to about 44,000 registered voters in La Plata County earlier this month. As of Friday afternoon, 7,710 ballots had been returned, and another 48 people had voted in person, according to Tiffany Lee, La Plata County Clerk and Recorder.
That’s ahead of the pace set during the 2022 midterm primary, when about 6,700 ballots had been returned by the Friday before Election Day.
“We’re a little higher, but we’re a little bigger,” Lee said.
Lee described turnout as solid and expects many more ballots to be deposited in drop boxes before polls close Tuesday evening.
This year’s primary features several closely watched statewide races, including the Democratic and Republican contests for governor, as well as competitive primaries for Colorado House District 3 and attorney general.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser have spent months in an aggressive competition for their party’s nomination.
The Republican gubernatorial field includes state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, a longtime state lawmaker, Victor Marx and Scott Bottoms. According to recent polling, Marx holds a commanding lead, with Kirkmeyer trailing by about 43 percentage points.
Other races include Secretary of State, State Treasurer and several La Plata County officials who are each running uncontested in the primaries, no matter the ballot.
For those who still need to vote, the polls and drop-boxes are open until 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. Results will begin rolling in sometime after.
Those who want to ensure the County Clerk’s Office received their ballot can call 382-6296 or visit www. GoVoteColorado.gov.
“I just encourage people to vote,” Lee said. “Don’t put it in the mail. Use a drop box. They have until 7 p.m. on election night to get the ballot to us. And if they’d rather vote in person, come on in and see us.”
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