Frequently Asked Questions About Voting in Colorado
Early voting is from Monday, October 20th to Friday, October 31st
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th
Mail-in ballots must be received by Tuesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Details on voting procedures are below
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Registration Identification Early Vote Mail-in Voting
Registration
Q: Who is eligible to vote this November?A: To be eligible to vote in Colorado this election, you must
- be a US citizen
- be 18 years old on or before the date of the election
- have been a resident of CO and of the precinct in which you intend to register for at least 30 days before the election
- not be serving a prison or parole sentence for a felony conviction
- have been registered by October 6th, 2008.
Q: What are the deadlines to register?
A:You must register to vote 30 days before the general election (by October 6, 2008). If registering by mail, registrations must be postmarked no later than October 6, 2008.
If you move to a different county in Colorado 30 days or more before the general election and forget to register in your new county, you may complete an emergency registration at your new county clerk and recorder’s office or cast a provisional ballot as a last resort.
If you move to a different county or precinct 29 days or less before the general election (October 7, 2008 or later), you may vote at your old polling place, by absentee ballot, or by early voting.
Q: I’m in the military and am serving out of the country. Can I vote?
A: Yes. Individuals out of the country, including those in the military, should apply for an absentee ballot. Download an application.
Q: I have a felony conviction. Can I vote?
A: A resident of Colorado who has been convicted of a felony and is serving a sentence of confinement or parole may not vote in Colorado elections. The right to vote is automatically restored upon completion of a sentence of confinement or parole in Colorado. After completing any sentence of confinement or parole, that person must re-register before he or she may vote.
Q: I am a college student, can I vote where I go to school?
A: Yes! Students at universities in Colorado may register to vote in Colorado, listing their mailing address at the university as their residence.
Q: I haven’t voted in the last few elections. Does my registration expire?
A: County clerks are required to cancel the registration of any voter who has not voted in the previous two general elections. If you have not voted since 2002 or before, you may file a “Certificate of Reinstatement” on or before October 7, 2008 and vote a regular ballot.
Q: Where should I vote?
A: Some of the larger counties, like Adams and Larimer, use vote centers for election day, where you can vote at any vote center within your county. Other counties, such as Denver, Arapahoe, and Jefferson, use assigned polling places. Check back soon for a list of voting locations in Colorado.
Q: I have moved within the same precinct and have not updated my address for voter registration purposes. Where should I vote?
A: A change of residence within the same precinct may be made by a voter at the polling place as late as the day of the election. You may have your residence changed on the registration record by submitting a letter or form furnished by the County Clerk, either by mail or in person.
Q: I have moved to a different precinct within the same county and I have not updated my address for voter registration purposes. Where should I vote?
A: If you moved within the county no later than October 6, 2008, you may complete a change of address form in person at the County Clerk’s office and vote in your new precinct.
If you move from the precinct where you are registered after October 6, 2008, and therefore after the registration period has closed, you can vote by an absentee ballot, by early voting, or at the polling place for the old precinct where registered.
Q: I have moved from one county to another and have not updated my address for voter registration purposes. Where should I vote?
A: If you move from one county in Colorado to another before or on October 6, 2008, you must reregister with the County Clerk of the county of your new residence.
If you move from the county where you are registered after October 6, 2008, and therefore after the registration period has closed, you can vote by an absentee ballot, by early voting, at the polling place for the old precinct where registered, or go to your county clerk’s office (or Denver Election Commission if in Denver) and complete an emergency registration.
Identification
- a valid Colorado driver’s license a valid identification card
- a valid United States passport
- any government employee identification card including a photograph
- a valid pilot’s license including a photograph
- a valid United States military identification card including a photograph
- a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter
- a valid Medicare or Medicaid card
- a certified copy of a United States birth certificate
- a certified documentation of naturalization
- a valid student identification card with a photograph, issued by an institution of higher education in Colorado.
Q: I do not have any identification with me. Can I vote?
A:
Identification is required in order to vote in Colorado.
The following are acceptable forms of Identification:
Q:
My driver’s license or other form of identification doesn’t have my current address on it. What should I do?
A:
Nothing. Your identification is simply to confirm who you are, not where you live. As long as you can tell the election official your current address, you will be able to vote.
Early Voting
You are strongly encouraged to vote during early voting or by mail-in ballot to avoid long lines on election day. The Early voting period is from October 20, 2008 – October 31, 2008.
Check back soon for early vote locations.
Mail-In Voting
Q: What is the deadline to register for a Mail-In ballot?
A:
The deadline to apply for an Mail-In ballot by mail is October 28, 2008. You may apply in person at the Clerk's Office until October 31, 2008. However, if you are applying during the last few weeks of October, we strongly advise you to vote at an early voting location to prevent any possible delays that may result in applying for an Mail-In ballot so close to the election.
Q: When is my Mail-In ballot due?
A: Mail-In ballots must be received by November 4th. It is too late to mail in your ballot on election day. You may hand deliver your ballot to your county clerk and recorder (or the Denver Election Commission if in Denver) or one of their designated locations if you are concerned about mailing it.
Q: Do I need to include a copy of my identification with my Mail-In ballot?
A:
If you registered to vote by mail and this is the first time you are voting, you must include a copy of acceptable identification with your Mail-in ballot. If you have regularly voted in previous elections and have not changed your registration, you do not need to include a copy of your identification.
Q: What if I requested an Mail-in ballot but I want to vote in person on Election Day?
A:
If you apply for an Mail-In ballot but do not cast it, you may cast a provisional ballot at the polling place, vote center, or early vote location if you affirm under oath that you have not, and will not, cast the absentee ballot. The provisional ballot should be counted if the designated election official verifies that you are registered to vote and did not cast the absentee ballot.
Q:
I never received my Mail-In ballot. What are my options?
A:
If you requested but never received your Mail-In ballot, lost your ballot, or spoiled/mismarked it, you may go to your polling place/vote center and vote a provisional ballot. You must affirm that you have not and will not vote again in the election. Alternatively, you may vote on a replacement Mail-in ballot at the county clerk’s office before 7:00 p.m. on election day.