The primary election is in full swing in Colorado, and Archuleta County is no different, with ballots in the hands of voters and early voting underway.
While the official date of the election is June 24, much of the voting will be completed before that day since the election is being conducted via mail ballot.
Ballots were mailed to active voters affiliated with one of the three major political parties on June 2 and are due back to the Archuleta County Elections Office (located in the basement level of the courthouse) by 7 p.m. on June 24. Postmarks do not count.
In Archuleta County, only two races are contested in the primary election: sheriff and commissioner (District 3) — with both appearing on the Republican ballot. That means the Republican ballot will determine which candidates advance to the November general election ballot for a chance to represent Archuleta County in each office, with each potentially facing an unaffiliated opponent.
For more information on the candidates, see the related articles in this issue of The SUN for information from the forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on June 11.
Who can vote?
In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be affiliated with a major political party (Democratic, Republican or American Constitutional).
Ballots were mailed only to active voters affiliated with a party, though others may still vote by registering to vote, participating in early voting, or affiliating with one of the three major political parties.
Registering/affiliating
If you have a valid Colorado driver’s license or state identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue, you can affiliate with a political party or update your voter registration information by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.com.
You can also complete a Change in Voter Registration Information form. That form was included on the back of the affiliation notice mailed to unaffiliated voters in May. Once completed, that form should be returned to the elections office via one of the following methods:
• Mail to P.O. Box 2589, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147-2589;
• Fax to 264-8562;
• Email the completed form as an attachment to jmadrid@archuletacounty.org; or
• In person at the Voting Service and Polling Center (elections office).
If you are not registered to vote, you can do so up to and including the date of the election if you register in person at the elections office.
Unaffiliated or new voters may affiliate up to and including June 24. Those currently affiliated with a party may no longer change that affiliation for the primary election.
Early voting
Early voting for the primary began Monday, June 16, and will take place in the elections office, located on the basement level of the courthouse.
You can also replace a mail ballot at the voting center.
The Archuleta County Elections Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will be open Saturday, June 21, from 8 a.m. to noon.
New this year, the office will be open the Monday prior to the election (June 23), from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The office will also be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Anyone with additional questions concerning the election can call the elections office at 264-8331.
For the results of the primary election, see www.PagosaSUN.com on election night, as well as the June 26 edition of The SUN.
randi@pagosasun.com
