The 2018 election season is gearing up into full swing and the Colorado primary election for candidates from each party is coming June 26.
Ballots will be mailed automatically to all active registered voters during the first week of June, but this year, we will see a big change in how Colorado conducts its primaries. That is because for the first time, voters who are unaffiliated with a political party will be able to vote in the primary – but there are a few important things to know about that process.
Those who are unaffiliated with a major political party will receive their primary packet with two ballots in the mail the week of June 4: one with Democratic candidates, the other with Republican candidates.
However, voters can submit only one ballot! The packet will have only one return envelope, so be sure to complete and submit either the Democratic or Republican ballot – if you send both, neither will be counted.
There are a couple of ways to avoid this confusion. First, you can choose which ballot you receive ahead of time – this won’t affiliate you with a political party but ensures that you will receive only one party’s ballot in the mail. If you’d like to choose your party preference ballot ahead of time, visit Uchoose.co.gov.
Unaffiliated voters who would like to change their party affiliation can do so at govotecolorado.com. Doing this will mean that you receive the ballot of whichever party you affiliate with, but it will carry forward to future elections. The deadline for changing party affiliation before the June 26 primary is May 29.
La Plata County voters can complete their mail ballot or visit a Voter Service and Polling Center during the primary election period.
The Voter Service and Polling Center at the Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 98 Everett St., Suite C, will be open Monday through Saturday beginning June 18.
The Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, will be open June 22, 25 and 26. Additionally, we will open a center at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. in Durango, June 25-26.
Election staff will be available to assist you with voter registration, replacement ballots, in-person voting or returning your mail ballot.
Beginning June 4, we will have four 24-hour drop boxes available throughout the county for submitting completed primary ballots:
Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 98 Everett St. Suite C, DurangoBayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, BayfieldFarmer’s Fresh Market, 535 Goddard, IgnacioLa Plata County Administration Building, 1101 E. 2nd Ave., DurangoWe look forward to serving all registered voters this election season and encourage anyone who has not done so to register to vote for the upcoming primary and the General Election in November. You can do this by visiting my office or go online to govotecolorado.com and complete your registration.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Tiffany Lee Parker is the La Plata County clerk & recorder. Reach her at 382-6296.
