You, dear voters, have been Googling like mad: “When is the latest you can vote by mail in Colorado?”
We hear you. It’s confusing. But whether you’re still convinced “anything could happen” in this election or you’re just putting off buying stamps, we’re here to help.
2016 is the first time Coloradans are voting for president by mail. Ballots went out to registered voters on Oct. 17, which means if you haven’t gotten yours yet something is up.
Maybe you’re considered an “inactive” voter with an address the Secretary of State can’t verify; maybe you just forgot to update your voter registration. Whatever the case, if you want to mail in your ballot and haven’t yet, you’ve got to get on it now.
Check your registration status and update your info if need be (and, if you haven’t received your ballot yet, this definitely means you). If you’re registered at your current address by Halloween day, you should receive a ballot, but you should still check with your County Clerk and Recorder just in case.
The only deadline for submitting mail-in ballots is that they arrive at the election office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8. There’s no postmark requirement, but there’s also no leniency: If your envelope doesn’t arrive on time, tough luck, no vote for you.
To ensure delivery, the Secretary of State’s office recommends you get your ballot in the mailbox by Nov. 1. If you miss that, or just want to be 100 percent sure your ballot arrives, they recommend you deliver your ballot yourself.
Drop off locations are everywhere.
Remember, though, no matter what, all eligible Coloradans can vote — and register — in person on Election Day as long as they get in line by 7 p.m.
Find your polling place here.
In Colorado’s last general election, 95 percent of voters used the ballots that arrived in their mailboxes, submitting them either by mail, dropbox or in person.
“We don’t know what is going to happen Election Day,” said Secretary of State spokeswoman Lynn Bartels. “There could be long lines. Why chance it?”
Bartels’ advice? “Vote early — but not often, or we’ll go after you.”
P.S. Need a ride to the polls? There’s an app for that.
