DENVER — As wildfires across the state have prompted evacuation orders for many residents, the Colorado Secretary of State is offering guidance on how those impacted who wish to vote can still cast their ballots on this primary election day.
Registered voters who were forced to evacuate can visit any voter center across the state to request and receive a replacement ballot, the Colorado Secretary of State's Office said Tuesday morning. Or request an emergency ballot here. Those eligible voters who visit a voter center outside their home county will only be able to vote in statewide races.
Those who can get to another voter center within their home county will be able to cast their ballots in all local contests.
Any of the impacted evacuees who still have access to their mail-in ballots can return them to any drop box or voter center in the state by 7 p.m. Tuesday and it will make it back to the local county clerk to be counted, the Colorado Secretary of State's Office said.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Chaffee County Clerk and Recorder Lori Mitchell planned to dispatch her team to visit firefighters at the Willow Fire who are staying in a gymnasium in Buena Vista to help them vote.
"As emergency workers, they are qualified to an emergency ballot so they can vote their full ballot even if they're far from their their homes and their residences," Griswold said. "My office is working with other counties to set up similar programs in Grand Junction and elsewhere."
Her office is reaching out to other counties with wildfires to see if it's feasible to do the same.
Voter center and drop box locations across the state can be found here. Impacted people can also contact their county clerks with questions. Their specific information can be found here.
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