Editor’s note: Tune into Everything Under The Sun on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 4pm on KDNK Radio (kdnk.org) for a recording of a mini-forum with Garfield County Commissioner District 1 candidates Eric Rudd (Republican) and Jonathan Godes (Democrat).
Ballots have been mailed to all active registered voters in Garfield County; the Clerk and Recorder’s Office have sent out precisely 38,344, according to an Oct. 6 press release. Folks are invited to vote early by mail or at a drop box starting Oct. 7. In-person early voting begins on Oct. 19, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
“This year’s ballot is one of the largest in Colorado history,” a press release from the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder’s Office stated.
Yes indeed, it’s a hefty ballot, including 14 statewide measures. Voters are encouraged to do their research and not get duped by propaganda text messages, emails, campaign mail or even the confusing verbiage of measures on the ballot.
Twenty-four-hour drop boxes are available at Carbondale Town Hall, the Garfield County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs, New Castle Town Hall, Silt Town Hall, the Garfield County Administration building in Rifle and Parachute Town Hall.
In-person early voting locations in Garfield County include the Community Center in Glenwood Springs and the South Hall of the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, which will both be open for walk-ins Oct. 19 to Nov. 2, 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Both locations will also be open on Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween), from 8am to 5pm.
“Returning your ballot before Election Day can provide peace of mind knowing the ballot
has been received,” Garfield County Clerk and Recorder Jackie Harmon told The Sun, adding that it’s not a bad idea to plan ahead in case something comes up on Election Day.
The status of early cast ballots can also be tracked online via BallotTrax, by simply putting in your name, date of birth and ZIP code. A link is available at the Garfield County Elections webpage.*
“Returning ballots before Election Day also allows the Elections Department to begin processing them according to Colorado law, which is especially helpful this general election because of the lengthy ballot,” Harmon continued.
Early voting also provides folks time to sit with and review the ballot from home, Harmon pointed out.
If voters don’t receive their mailed ballot by Oct. 13, they can visit GoVoteColorado.gov to check that their address is correct. Folks can also register there with a valid Social Security number, driver’s license or Colorado ID card, and update their party affiliation, should they wish. Oct. 26 is the last day to register or to update registration status online and still receive a ballot by mail. After Oct. 26, voters must visit a voting center to snag a ballot or vote in person. The same information is available in Spanish at VayaVotarColorado.gov
When asked if there are any drawbacks to early voting, Harmon replied, “Early voting is a convenient and reliable option,” noting that constituents should do what’s right for their schedule.
Voter cards
Cari Shurman has been getting out the vote, particularly reaching young people, since 2018. Since 2022, one strategy she’s adopted is disseminating cards with voter information at Colorado Mountain College campuses, a few high schools and local libraries. The cards are available at the Carbondale Library or a stack can be requested by emailing ColoradoVotes20@gmail.com
Shurman stressed that the effort is nonpartisan and simply to get more folks to the ballot box. She also added that voters don’t have to vote for every measure on the ballot, and can leave an item blank that they may be confused about or if they’re on the fence.
She also recommended visiting the League of Women Voters of Colorado website, wvcolorado.org/ballot-issues, a nonpartisan organization, to help better understand the statewide ballot measures.
* The Garfield County Elections webpage includes helpful information for registered and prospective voters, and can be found at www.garfieldcountyco.gov/clerk-recorder/elections