Primary election ballots to be mailed Monday in La Plata County

La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Lee said she expects slightly higher turnout for the June primaries compared with the 2018 primaries.

Ballots for the June 28 primaries are scheduled to be sent Monday, meaning they should be making their way into voters’ mailboxes next week.

Lee said turnout for the 2018 primaries in La Plata County totaled 10,786 ballots cast, or 30% of registered voters. She expects 35% to 40% of voters to participate in elections this June.

“I don’t believe in 2018 we had near the contentious races that we have now,” she said. “That could draw more people in the Congressional District 3, for sure.”

Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District Republican primary features incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and challenger state Rep. Don Coram, who butted heads May 26 during their first debate.

The Democratic primary in the same district features Sol Sandoval, Alex Walker and Adam Frisch, who are scheduled to attend a Democratic candidates forum at 3 p.m. June 11 at Durango Public Library.

Lee said Monday, the day that ballots are delivered to the post office, is an important date for voters because it marks the last day voters can change their affiliation for this election cycle.

Since 2016, unaffiliated voters have had the ability to vote in either Democratic or Republican primaries – but they can cast ballots in only one party’s contest.

Lee said the voter service center and election FAQs are available online at https://bit.ly/3GKeka2.

Additionally, ballots can be tracked at laplatavotes.com.

There are six ballot drop-off locations in La Plata County this year, Lee said:

She added that voter services open at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office on June 20. Voter services will be open at Bayfield Town Hall and La Plata County Fairgrounds on June 27 and June 28, for people who choose to vote in person rather than sending in a mail ballot.

Lee said people planning to vote by mail should send their ballots in no later than June 20 to ensure they are received on time.

In-person voting must be completed by 7 p.m. June 28, she said.

In the primaries for State District 59, incumbent Barbara McLachlan, Democrat, and Republican Shelli Shaw are running unopposed.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Tina Peters, Mike O’Donnell and Pam Anderson are competing in the Republican primary.

Peters has drawn support and scrutiny for her unsupported claims of large-scale election fraud during the 2020 presidential election. Peters has been indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assertions of attempting to influence a public servant and criminal impersonation.

Gov. Jared Polis faces no challengers in the Democratic primary. But two Republican candidates, Greg Lopez and Heidi Ganahl, are making a run in the primary for the chance to unseat the governor in the general election Nov. 8.

Dan Maloit is running unopposed in the State Board of Education at-large Republican primary. Likewise, Kathy Plomer is the sole candidate in the Democratic primary for the at-large board of education position.

In La Plata County, no candidates have a primary challenger. However, several candidates will appear on the Democratic and Republican ballots unopposed. They include:

cburney@durangoherald.com