Common Questions and Answers

Mail Ballot Questions

How much postage is required to mail back my ballot?

The postage for each election varies. Unfortunately, we do not know that information at the time the envelopes and voter instructions are printed. For the 2016 General Election, $0.68 is the required postage.

Why did I get two ballots mailed to me?

Many voters receive more than one ballot and this causes great concern for voters. Here is how the process works. In mid-September we begin preparing ballots for mailing. We pull the records from the state voter registration system, print the ballots, fold them, insert them in secrecy sleeves and put them in an envelope for mailing. If a voter makes a change in his/her voter registration (changes physical address, changes mailing address, changes affiliation) after that has been done, the change will electronically void the original ballot and create a new ballot to be printed. If the change is made before the original ballot is mailed, we can pull the original ballot and physically void it as well. If the change is made after we mail the original ballot, the voter may receive two ballots.

I got two ballots. Which one should I vote?

Actually, you can vote either ballot. Our system only allows each voter to have one active ballot at a time. In addition, it only allows us to receipt in a ballot that is not voided. But, if you send back a ballot that has been voided and your unvoided ballot has not yet been received, we can void the unvoided ballot and unvoid your voided ballot. We will then be able to receipt in your voted ballot.

I got two ballots. What do I do with the one I don’t vote?

Vote one of your ballots and then we recommend that you shred or destroy the other.

Can I pick up my Grand County ballot in another county?

No, other counties will not have the ballot for Grand County. The only place you can get a Grand County ballot is at the Grand County Voter Service and Polling Center.

What do I do if I make a mistake or change my mind on a vote on my ballot?

If you make a mistake or change your mind on a vote on your ballot, you have several options. One option is to request a replacement ballot. We can mail replacement ballots up to 8 days before Election Day. You can pick up a replacement ballot any day we are open up until 7 pm on Election Day. Another option is to use the ballot you have but make a CLEAR correction on your ballot. If the judges are able to clearly discern your intent, they will do so and your ballot will be counted as you voted. If the judges are unable to tell what your intent was, your vote on that race or issue will be counted as an undervote. All other races will be counted as it is marked.

What do I do if my stub comes off? If your stub becomes unattached, just put it in the envelope with your ballot. It will not disqualify your vote.

What do I do if I forgot to put my stubs in the envelope?

If you still have your envelope, you can open your envelope and put them inside. If you already mailed your ballot, don’t worry - your ballot will still be counted.

Do postmarks on ballots count?

No, ballots must be received by a County Clerk and Recorder by 7pm on Election Day in order to be counted (except for UOCAVA voters)

How long will it take for my ballot to get to me?

We don’t have an answer for that question really. The USPS has told us that it can take 7-9 days for a ballot to get from one location to another. Please plan accordingly or use a drop box if you want to be sure your ballot will get to us in time.

I will be traveling around the country during the election. Can my husband/friend/mother-in-law fill out my ballot for me, sign it and mail it back for me? I will tell them how I want to vote and they have my power of attorney.

Your husband/friend/mother-in-law can assist you in filling out your ballot. However, it is against the law for them to sign your ballot for you even with a power of attorney. You would be able to have a ballot mailed to you at whatever address would work for you though as long as you update your voter registration in time for us to mail you a ballot.

Why didn’t I get a mail ballot?

All active registered voters are mailed a ballot. If you did not receive a ballot, it is because you are not an active registered voter or the mailing address in your voter registration record is not correct. The other possibility would be that the ballot got lost in the mail.

My wife is unable to sign her ballot due to health issues. Can I fill out her ballot for her and sign it? I am her power of attorney.

You may assist your wife in completing her ballot; however, you may not sign it for her. She must make a mark and then you can witness her mark.

I used to get ballots but now I don’t get any ballots in the mail. Why?

It is possible that we received undeliverable ballots for you or returned mail. That could change your status from active to inactive. Inactive voters are not mailed ballots. An inactive voter can update his/her registration by going to www.govotecolorado.com . Once the record is updated, a ballot will be mailed to the voter unless it is within 8 days of Election Day. If it is within 8 days of Election Day, the voter will need to go to the Voter Service and Polling Center to vote in person or pick up a ballot.

Can I leave one or more of the races or contests on the ballot unvoted? Will my other votes be counted? Yes, you may undervote any races or contests you would like. That will not disqualify your vote. All marked races/issues will be counted and all unmarked races/issues will be counted as undervotes.

I mailed in my ballot. How do I know that my ballot was received?

As soon as ballots are picked up from the post office, they are transported back to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office where they are scanned into the voters’ records. A voter may look at the status of his/her ballot at www.govotecolorado.com to see if the ballot has been received, if it has been signature verified, and if it has been counted.

Do I have to include a copy of my ID with my ballot when I mail it back?

If this is your first time voting in Colorado and you did not provide a verifiable ID when you registered to vote, your ballot envelope will be marked “ID REQUIRED” and you must provide a copy of an acceptable ID in order for your vote to be counted. You will also receive a special set of voter instructions for ID Required Voters. The ID must show a physical address in Colorado. If your ballot envelope is not marked “ID REQUIRED” you do not need to include a copy of your ID.

What happens if I vote for more than one candidate in a race?

If you vote for more than one choice in a race that is marked as “Vote for One”, your vote will count as an overvote. Neither of your votes for that race will be counted; however, all other votes on the ballot will be counted.

Why do I have to sign my ballot?

Colorado Revised Statute requires that each voter’s signature on the ballot return envelope be verified against the signatures in that voter’s record. This helps to insure that there is not voter fraud and insure the integrity of the election. If the signature matches the voter record, the ballot will be counted. If it does not, a letter will be sent to the voter. The voter will have until 8 days after the election to “cure” his/her signature. If it is cured, the ballot will be counted. If it is not cured, a copy of the envelope will be turned over to the District Attorney for investigation.

What happens if I forget to sign my ballot? Will my vote be counted?

Colorado Revised Statute requires that each voter’s signature on the ballot return envelope be verified against the signatures in that voter’s record. This helps to insure that there is not voter fraud and insure the integrity of the election. If a signature is missing from an envelope, a letter will be sent to the voter along with an affidavit. If the affidavit is signed and returned by the deadline (8 days after the Election) along with a copy of the voter’s ID, the voter’s ballot will be counted in the final count. If it is not, the ballot will not be counted.

What happens if I don’t put my ballot in the envelope? Will my vote be counted?

Colorado Revised Statute requires that each voter’s signature on the ballot return envelope be verified against the signatures in that voter’s record. This helps prevent voter fraud and ensures the integrity of the election.

Drop Box Questions

Do I have to put stamps on my ballot envelope if I put it in a drop box?

No, postage stamps are only required if you mail your ballot using the United States Post Office system. A voter can put his/her ballot in the drop boxes without any cost. The drop boxes were paid for with your tax dollars.

When will my ballot be picked up from the drop box?

Citizen election judges will be picking up ballots from the 24-hour drop boxes every 24 hours on the days the VSPC is open. A minimum of two pick-ups will be done on Election Day. The final pick-up will be done at 7 pm on Election Day. The ballot box will be locked at that time and no additional ballots will be received in the drop box.

Can I drop my ballot in any drop box in the state? Will it be counted?

Yes, a ballot that is dropped in any drop box in the state will be picked up by the Election Official for that county. The ballot will then be mailed to the correct county. Grand County received over 20 ballots that were dropped off in other counties in Colorado. Likewise,

Can I drop my ballot in any drop box in the country? Will it be counted?

No, only in state drop boxes may be used.

How can I know if a ballot drop box is an official drop box for this election?

Pictures of all five of the Grand County 24-hour drop boxes are posted on our website. In addition, the location of the drop boxes is included in the Voter Instructions included with your mail ballot.

How do I know that my ballot was received?

As soon as ballots are picked up from the drop box by citizen election judges, they are transported back to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office where they are scanned into the voters’ records. A voter may look at the status of his/her ballot at www.govotecolorado.com to see if the ballot has been received, if it has been signature verified, and if it has been counted.

What happens if I just return my secrecy sleeve and not my ballot envelope?

Your vote will not be counted because we are not able to verify your signature against your voter record as required by statute?

In Person Voting Questions

Why isn’t there a polling place in my town?

In 2013 Colorado became a mail ballot state with the passage of House Bill 1303. Any election conducted by the Clerk and Recorder will be a mail ballot election. All active registered voters will be mailed a mail ballot. Dependent on the population of the county, each county will have one or more Voter Service and Polling Centers where electors can go vote in person. Grand County currently has only one Voter Service and Polling Center in Hot Sulphur Springs.

If I vote in person, what happens to my mail ballot?

As soon as a voter votes in person, his/her mail ballot is voided. Only one voted ballot can be received for each voter.