Get ready to vote
Across the nation, it’s shaping up to be an election day unlike any other as both governments and voters adjust to holding an election amidst a pandemic.
But here in Jeffco and throughout Colorado, it will mostly be business as usual as voters will once again be using the mail voting system Colorado has utilized since 2013. Ballots are set to start being mailed to all registered voters in Jeffco on Friday, Oct. 9, which is also the day the county’s ballot drop boxes will open.
The deadline to register to vote and still receive a ballot in the mail is Oct. 26. However, Jeffco residents can register to vote until 7 p.m. on election day (Nov. 3).
Jeffco residents may register to vote and check or update their registration online at sos.state.co.us or in-person at the DMV, Army recruitment offices or polling centers. County Clerk George Stern recommends checking the site to confirm your address and registration information is accurate.
Stern also said it takes time for ballots to be received and that ballots are not sent out in order of address which means that two people living at the same address may not receive their ballot on the same day. However, any registered voters who have not received a ballot by Oct. 16 should call the Clerk and Recorder’s office at 303-271-8111.
Instructions for filling out the ballot are located at the top of the ballot. Voters must fill out their ballot in blue or black ink. There are instructions for addressing errors but voters can also call 303-271-8111 for a replacement ballot. After filling out the ballot, voters should remove the tab at the top of the ballot, place the ballot in the envelope and sign the ballot. Signatures are used to validate ballots.
Voters can return their ballot at one of the county’s 24/7 drop boxes (listed below), at one of the county’s in-person vote centers or through the mail. However, Stern said those choosing to mail their ballot should do so by Oct. 26 to ensure that the ballot is received by Election Day, not just postmarked before then. Stern is also encouraging voters to use the drop boxes, which he says are the most secure and swift way to turn in a ballot.
Ballots in drop boxes are under 24/7 surveillance and ballots are picked up once a day by bipartisan teams and placed into sealed bags, to only be opened by those teams at the county’s vote counting facility. Ballots must be placed into a drop box by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.
If the county identifies an issue with a ballot such as a signature not matching the one on file at the county, the county will send them a letter notifying them they have eight days to get in touch with the county to fix or “cure” their ballot, in order for their vote to be counted.
Residents can sign up to track their ballot and confirm it has been counted using the county’s ballottrax system at www.jeffco.us/3313/Track-Your-Ballot.
Jeffco residents can also vote in-person at several voting centers, starting on Oct. 19. A list of those centers and their hours and days of operation can be found at www.jeffco.us/3907/Find-Voting-Locations.
The county starts counting ballots as they are received, beginning about two weeks ahead of election day. However, no results will be posted until 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. The first results will be posted just after 7 p.m. with additional updates being posted at least every two hours. Election night results do not mean the end of counting however. Counting last-minute provisional ballots, oversea and mail ballots and cured ballots, as well as a mandatory audit of the county’s vote-county system means the results of the election will not be certified until about three weeks after Election Day.
“If you want results sooner, vote sooner,” Stern said.
Drop Off Locations
Littleton
-Columbine Library
7706 W. Bowles Ave.
-Lilley Gulch Recreation Center
6147 S Holland Way
-Ridge Recreation Center
6613 S Ward St.
-South Jeffco Service Center
11139 Bradford Road
Lakewood
-Belmar Library
55 S. Allison Parkway
-Carmody Recreation Center
2200 S. Kipling St.
-Foothills Fieldhouse
3606 S. Independence St.
-Green Mountain Recreation Center
13198 W. Green Mountain Drive
-Jeffco Public Health
645 Parfet St. Lakewood
-City Hall
480 S Allison Parkway
-Lakewood Library
10200 W. 20th Ave.
-Lakewood Link Recreation Center
1295 S. Reed St.
-Red Rocks Community College Environmental Tech Building
13302 Fox Run
Wheat Ridge
-Anderson Park
9110 W. 44th Ave.
-Wheat Ridge City Hall
7500 W. 29th Ave.
Golden
-Colorado School of Mines
1400 Illinois St.
-Golden City Hall
911 10th St.
-Jeffco Courts and Admin Building (northeast side)
100 Jefferson County Parkway
-Jeffco Elections Division
3500 Illinois St
Arvada
-Apex Recreation Center
13150 W 72nd Ave.
-Arvada City Hall
8001 Ralston Road
-Arvada City Hall
8101 Ralston Road
-Arvada Motor Vehicle
6510 Wadsworth Boulevard#320
-Jeffco Public Health
5150 Allison St.
-Standley Lake Library
8485 Kipling St.
-West Woods Community Station
6644 Kendrick Drive
-Whisper Creek Community Station
14360 W. 89th Drive
Westminster
-City Park Recreation Center
10455 Sheridan Boulevard
-West View Recreation Center
10747 W. 108th Ave.
-Westminster Sports Center
6051 W. 95th Ave.
