La Plata County voters now have a more convenient option to drop off their ballots.  La Plata County Clerk and Recorder's office has installed a secure, 24-hour ballot drop-off box at their office at 98 Everett Street in Durango.  "I'm really pleased to offer this new option to the voters in La Plata County," said Tiffany Parker, La Plata County Clerk.  "The 24-hour location will allow voters the opportunity to drop off their ballots any time before the election, at their convenience."

The Colorado Primary Election is on June 24, and mail ballots were sent out on Monday, June 2 for those in La Plata County who are affiliated with the American Constitution, Democratic, or Republican Party with a current voter registration.  Voters may update their address at www.govotecolorado.com or by visiting the clerk and recorder's main office or at the Bayfield Town Hall.

In order to vote in a primary election, voters must affiliate with one of these political parties. A mail ballot will not be sent unless the voter is affiliated by June 17. From June 18 through Election Day, voters may affiliate at any of the three voter service and polling centers: at the clerk and recorder's office; the Bayfield Town Hall; or the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Participation in the primary election will not affect voters' eligibility to vote in the general election.

Voters affiliated with the American Constitution or Democratic Party do not have any contested races on their ballots; however, Colorado law requires county clerks to send a ballot to any eligible elector affiliated with a major party if one party has a contested race. The Republican Party does have contested races, so the clerk and recorder's Office is required to mail ballots to all major party electors.

All mail ballots are due by 7 p.m., on election day on June 24. Ballots may be returned to the polling centers, or through the US mail using a 49-cent stamp. All ballots must be received, not just postmarked, by 7 p.m.June 24. If voters choose not to use their mail-in ballot, they are welcome to vote in person at one of the three polling centers. Please visit www.laplatacountyclerk.org for specific locations and times.

 For additional information, please contact the clerk and recorder's Office at 382-6296.