Know Your Voting Options in Colorado

Voter Registration Information from Secretary of State, Scott Gessler 

Before every presidential election, voter registration drives, political parties and special interest groups fan out across the country registering voters. For the most part, these groups deliver a beneficial public service that helps register voters and reminds others to update their registration. But a few bad actors can cast doubt on our voter registration system.

Currently Colorado has 135 licensed voter registration drive organizers, which include everything from churches and civic associations to political parties and unions. Though most of these groups use volunteers, many hire temporary workers to seek out potential unregistered voters. As in most states, Colorado requires organizations to pay workers based on time-worked, not for how many completed forms they submit. By removing the incentive to pad voter rolls with imaginary electors, the law helps deter fraud. We also have safeguards built into our statewide voter registration system to detect and prevent fraudulent forms and we have strict penalties for those who fail to submit completed voter registration forms. 

Recently, Colorado has witnessed some high profile voter registration drive workers giving false information. A woman registering voters in Colorado Springs was recorded saying that she represented the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s office when in fact she didn’t. A volunteer knocking on doors in Denver was telling voters they were removed from the voter rolls or inactivated, directly contradicting their actual records. Consequently, misleading people into believing they’re not registered is a crime. Both instances reflect poorly on voter confidence in Colorado. 

But Coloradans need to remember that they have multiple options when registering to vote. This year, I rolled out the largest voter education effort in Colorado history. My aim was twofold: 1) invite eligible Coloradans to register to vote and 2) remind voters to make sure their voter record was up to date and accurate. Voters can visit GoVoteColorado.com to register and update their records. 

Be careful to enter our address exactly because we’ve also seen some copy cat web sites offering online voter registration as well. They collect personal information from you and then pass you off to our online registration. Like any web surfing, consider protecting your sensitive information, something my office takes very seriously.

For those who register through one of these registration drives, please consider verifying your information is correct by visiting GoVoteColorado.com. 

Even after the voter registration deadline on Tuesday, October 9, voters can still use GoVoteColorado.com to track their mail ballot and find their nearest polling place. 

Sincerely,
Scott Gessler