Trying to figure out what to do with that ballot on your counter, or how to get one in time for Tuesday’s primary election? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s what you need to know for the June 28 primary election.
How can I get a 2022 primary election ballot?
If you’re registered to vote as a Republican, Democrat or unaffiliated with a party — which covers 98% of Colorado voters — and your address is up to date, you should have received your ballot in the mail already. If you haven’t check with your county clerk.
Not registered? Good news: Unregistered voters can go to an in-person voter service and polling center and register up until 7 p.m. on June 28. Colorado is a same-day registration state, meaning you can register and vote on the same day. Go to your county clerk’s website or GoVoteColorado.gov to find those voter service centers and ballot drop box locations.
Not happy with your voter registration, because, say, you want to disaffiliate with a party and vote in another’s primary? Bad news, as that deadline has already passed. However, if you’re an unaffiliated voter who marked a preferred party for primary voting, and want to vote in the other primary election, you can still do that. You will have to go to a voter service and polling center for a new ballot, though.
How to return your Colorado primary election ballot
You can return your ballot anytime between now and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Just don’t put it in the mail, since delivery delays might keep it from getting there on time.
However, Secretary of State Jenna Griswold notes that most Coloradans “overwhelmingly” prefer to deliver their ballots to drop boxes. GoVoteColorado.gov features a link to find the nearest drop box or in-person voting center. Many in-person voting locations should be open throughout the state.
Before you drop it off, make sure the ovals are completely filled in with blue or black ink and that you’ve signed the outside of the ballot. GoVoteColorado.gov features links to track where your ballot is in the process of being counted and information on the TXT2Cure system for signature verification, if that’s an issue you face.
If you’re an unaffiliated voter who received ballots for Democratic and Republican primary elections, it’s also important that you only vote and return one ballot. If you return both, neither will count.
Who is running in the 2022 Colorado primary election?
While ballots are different based on where you live, and what offices are up, only the Republican ticket has choices among the statewide offices. Democrats hold all the constitutional offices and the U.S. Senate seats, and all those incumbents are unchallenged.
For a more thorough breakdown of top races and races to watch, go to http://dpo.st/2022primary.
U.S. Senate: State Rep. Ron Hanks is facing construction company CEO Joe O’Dea for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. The winner will face incumbent U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat.
Governor: University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl is facing former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez for the Republican nomination for governor. The winner will face incumbent Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat.
Secretary of State: Former Colorado County Clerks Association Director Pam Anderson, businessman Mike O’Donnell and Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters are facing off for the Republican nomination for Secretary of State. The winner will face incumbent Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat.
1st Congressional District (Denver area): Incumbent U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette faces Neal Walia for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican Jennifer Qualteri.
2nd Congressional District (North Front Range): No contested primary races.
3rd Congressional District (Western Slope): Incumbent U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and state Sen. Don Coram face off for the Republican nomination. Adam Frisch, Sol Sandoval and Alex Walker are facing off for the Democratic nomination.
4th Congressional District (Eastern Plains): Incumbent U.S. Rep. Ken Buck faces Robert Lewis for the Republican nomination. The winner will face Democrat Ike McCorkle.
5th Congressional District (Colorado Springs area): Andrew Heaton, Rebecca Keltie, incumbent U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn and state Rep. Dave Williams face off for the Republican nomination. Michael Colombe and David Torres face off for the Democratic nomination.
6th Congressional District (Aurora and south Denver metro): No contested primary races.
7th Congressional District (Jefferson and Broomfield counties into central Colorado): Erik Aadland, Laurel Imer, and Tim Reichert face off for the Republican nomination. The winner will face state Sen. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat. This is an open seat to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat.
8th Congressional District (Commerce City and Thornton into Greeley): Tyler Allcorn, state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann and Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine face off for the Republican nomination. The winner will face state Rep. Yadira Caraveo, a Democrat. This is a new congressional district and an open seat.