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Polling Place Elections

If your district cannot cancel, a polling place election is an option
Unless you have a TABOR/$ ballot issue; then polling place is verboten
Inclusions/exclusions/term limits are okay for polling place election
Polling place elections include UOCAVA and absentee voting
Some similarities/some differences to mail ballot elections

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Absentee voting

Legal framework found @ Title 1, Article 13.5, Part 10
DEOs must (§1-13.5-1004):

Keep a list of who applied for an absentee ballot & when
Record the date the ballot was sent
Record the date it was returned

If voted ballot is not returned or rejected, that should also be noted (as a blank column if not returned).

Maintain the permanent absentee voter list

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Absentee Ballot Application (SD-31.0)

Name of applicant
Signature (important details)
Physical & mailing address
Permanent

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Absentee List: Tracking w SD-32.2-32.4� XL SD-32.25-.45

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Permanent Absentee Voter List

A voter is removed from the list by four instances C.R.S. 1-13.5-1004(2):

Eligible elector notifies the DEO that he or she wants to be removed
Their ballot is sent back as undeliverable (it’s sent do not forward)
The eligible elector has been deemed “inactive”
The person is no longer eligible to vote in the district

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Absentee Voting

For this election and permanent list

See C.R.S. 1-13.5-1004(1) – and templates – for procedures
DEO determines eligibility of absentee applicants until April 29

BUT, The election judges are the only ones who can open the envelopes.
Judges will use on election.

The DEO sends the (permanent) absentee ballot ASAPractical but no later than 72 hours of receipt of blank ballots. §1-13.5-1002(2)
Latest the ballots may be printed/received from printer is April 6 (30 days).
Print extra blanks for requests after printing deadline

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Absentee ballot “packet”

Consists of

External envelope (“Do not forward. Address correction requested”)

Return envelope with “affirmation”(SD-31.3)

Secrecy envelope or sleeve (SD-31.2)

Voter instructions (could be part of secrecy envelop/sleeve)

Ballot

Voter Procedure:

Voter takes out the ballot, votes it

Folds, places in secrecy sleeve, stuffs into the return envelope

Signs “affirmation” on return envelope, stamp, send or drop off

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Absentee Ballot, §1-13.902(8)(a)

OTHER

Final absentee request deadline April 29
Emergency absentee ballots 30-May 6 (SD-31.4)
Voter may chose to bundle their ballot with other voters or duly authorized agent §1-13.5-1006(1)

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Polling Place Location

Select polling place location that maximized voter convenience, even if outside district. 1-13.5-504(2)

C.R.S. 1-13.5-504(3): Districts with overlapping boundaries shall “Meet, confer, and thereafter, if practical”…have voting at one polling place (March 27)

State Demography maps link

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Polling Place Notices

Notices:

Sign (SD-37.1) designating polling place posted by April 16.
Publish your Notice of Election (SD-34) no later than April 16, and post in conspicuous place in the DEO’s office.

Also mail/email notice to county clerk(s)

Print out “No Electioneering” sign (SD-37.2) and post on or before election day, May 6.

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Deadline Recap – polling place

March 21: UOCAVA ballots sent

March 27: Meet & Confer;

Order Registered Electors (SD-30.1) & Property Owners (SD30.2) lists

April 6 (Sunday): Ballot printing deadline

April 16: Last day for Notice of polling place election to be published. Election notice also posted in DEO office, and mail/email to Clerk & Recorder.

April 21: Deadline to appoint (at least 2) Election Judges and Canvass Board

April 29: Last day for voters to request an absentee ballot in person. Emergency absentee ballots available until election day (very rare).

April 30: Receive complete lists of registered electors and property owners (recommeneded)

May 5: Last day for DEO to deliver supplies to election judge – one day prior, per §1-13.5-205

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Polls open at 7am, and close at 7PM

If there are counting judges (610), the receiving judges (directing voters) shall deliver a ballot box with cast ballots, and will swap the full box with an empty box. If counting judges were not appointed, the ballots are not counted until the polls close at 7pm.
Election judges post an unofficial abstract for 48 hours after the polls close (615)(2), (SD-22.5)
Election judge forms will be linked to from DLG to SDA.
Absentee ballots are counted if received before 7pm.
Might still have UOCAVA ballots outstanding.

Election Day: May 6 (1-13.5-…)

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After Election

May 7: Take down electioneering sign and posted notices. Attend DLG’s director e-filing office hours ☺

May 8: Unofficial abstract may be removed after 7:00PM (48 hours)

May 14: Last day to count a UOCAVA vote (must be postmarked by May 6, 7:00PM if mailed to count)

May 20: Canvass Board’s Certification (SD-25) of Official Abstract of Votes due (14 days). Includes winners, losers, & ballot language

June 3: Last day to conduct a recount (28 days); 0.5% of votes triggers auto-recount

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SD-27

§1-13.5-1306

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≤June 5: Certified Election Results filed with DOLA

(30 days) Oaths taken, oaths + bond filed with DOLA

June 20: Special District Debt Authorization, DLG 30

Nov. 6: All election records and forms must be preserved

for at least six months. Except…

May 6, 2027: Preserve self-noms for 2 years

June 6, 2027: Sealed ballots retained unless court case 25.