October 9, 2020– The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office has mailed nearly 427,000 ballots to all eligible, active registered voters for the 2020 General Election. The ballots should arrive in voters’ mailboxes by Friday of next week, October 16.
“Coloradans are fortunate to have a mail ballot system considered to be the gold standard nationally, safeguarded for our democracy, to instill El Paso County voters with confidence,” said Clerk and Recorder Chuck Broerman. “Again, this election, voters’ health and safety are at the forefront of our minds due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although in-person services are offered, it is essential the voters in El Paso County vote in the safety and comfort of their home and return their mail ballot by using one of our secure drop boxes throughout the County.”
The 2020 General Election ballot content will contain contests for Presidential candidates, state and local candidates, 11 statewide measures and 13 local measures or issues. The content of a voter’s individual ballot is dependent on the precinct where they reside. Voters are urged to research these items in advance utilizing the Colorado General Assembly Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book) and the El Paso County TABOR Notice mailed earlier this month. Once an informed decision has been made, voters are encouraged to vote and return their ballot early.
Voters have many convenient options for returning their voted ballot in a safe and secure manner. The Clerk and Recorder’s Office has 37 secure 24/7 ballot drop-box locations throughout the county. 99% of the county’s population lives within a fifteen-minute drive of one of these locations. Voters also may return their ballot through the U.S. Postal Service. However, voters should affix $0.65 postage when returning their ballot via the United States Postal Service (USPS). The Clerk’s Office recommends that voters do not return their voted ballot by mail after October 26. All voted ballots must be returned to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, to be counted. Postmarked ballots received after the deadline cannot be counted.
Any voter needing a replacement ballot, or other in-person services may visit the Clerk and Recorder’s Office at the Citizens Service Center at 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road. Seven additional Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPCs) will open October 19, with a total of 35 VSPCs opening in phases by Election Day. A full list of locations along with hours of operation can be viewed here.
For more information about the election, tracking the status of your mail ballot, or viewing the El Paso County sample General Election ballot, voters should visit www.EPCVotes.com or call (719) 575-VOTE (8683).