Election Deadlines are Drawing Near

October 25, (today) is the last day area residents can apply for a Mail-In ballot which will be sent by mail to a voter.  This Friday will be the last chance to apply for a Mail-in ballot, but the voter must pick it up in person from the Prowers County Clerk and Recorder Office at the County Courthouse. 

Jana Coen, County Clerk and Recorder noted that 2009 was the last Mail-in ballot election and at that time, ballots were sent to active and inactive votes.  Earlier this year, a controversy developed between the Secretary of State’s Office and various county clerks over the Secretary’s decision to restrict ballots to be sent only to active voters from last year, and not to those who had not voted the year before, but were still registered.  That statute was overturned by a ruling from the state courts, but Prowers County did not have sufficient time to print extra ballots.  

 As a rule ballots that are mailed out are not forwarded to incorrect addresses, and are returned to the Clerk’s office.  The homeowner or resident has the responsibility to provide timely information to the Clerk’s office and post office.  The Clerk’s office has the necessary forms for an address change, but at this point, should be walked through to make sure the information is transmitted in time.  An online change is also available through the Secretary of State’s website. 

The Prowers County Clerk & Recorder phone number is 719-336-8011.  The office is on the second floor of the Country Courthouse, and is open weekdays between 8:30am and 4:30pm.