DENVER (KDVR) — Tuesday will mark two weeks until Election Day and ballot boxes across the state are open.
Also Tuesday, state and election leaders gave an update about how voting in the state is going so far. Keeping Colorado's election secure is still top of mind for officials. They are encouraging voters to turn in ballots as early as they can.
"Today we have 433 drop boxes and 365 voting centers open statewide. The most we have ever had in any election," said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.
Voting is underway in Colorado with all ballot boxes now open. Some places like Denver were among the counties that opted to open boxes earlier than the required date.
"Our drop boxes were open on Oct. 11. Turnout has been 7%. Now in comparison, you have to compare apples to apples and 2020 was a heck of an apple. In 2020, we were at 25%. So, we are definitely behind a very weird and extraordinary year but it's also because of the fact that there are viable options," said city and county of Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul Lopez.
One of the main reasons officials don't want voters to turn their ballots in at the last minute is because of how long the ballots are this year. Officials say it would help judges get everything counted faster the sooner you turn them in.
With folks back to utilizing options in person, in addition to mail-in and ballot drop-offs, leaders are asking voters to stay informed and follow the law surrounding voter intimidation, harassment and electioneering. They believe early voting could help lessen those incidents too, but Secretary of State Jena Griswold said one Coloradan got in trouble for his actions surrounding the election Monday.
"This morning, a man was arrested in Rio Grande. He had a MAGA hat on in a voting center. He was asked to leave. He went outside but was still within the electioneering boundary and started to wave a Trump flag. He refused to leave. He was arrested. Electioneering is a crime. It's a misdemeanor 2 which takes with it up to 120 days in jail and up to a $750 fine," Griswold told the members of the press Monday.
Colorado's Legislative Black Caucus members even worked with the Secretary of State's Office to create and distribute voter information pamphlets.
"We thought it was very important to update that information. Particularly since we have done so much here in Colorado that we know people still have questions about and those questions have turned into barriers to voting. So we were looking for something that could be pocket-sized that folks could just look at really quickly to reassure themselves that they have the opportunity to vote," said House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon.
Leaders continue to encourage voters to consume good information around elections.
If you have questions about anything regarding the election, reach out to your county clerk's office.
Link to original article