Source: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/info_center/laws/Title1/Title1Article7-5.html
Timestamp: 2020-08-04 07:42:38
Document Index: 394942397

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'arts 4', 'art 6', 'arts 4']

Article 7.5 Mail ballot elections
Choose a section Part 1 Mail ballot elections 1-7.5-101. Short title. 1-7.5-102. Legislative declaration. 1-7.5-103. Definitions. 1-7.5-104. Mail ballot elections - applicability - optional for political subdivisions other than a county. 1-7.5-104.5. Ballots and supplies for mail voting. 1-7.5-105. Preelection process. 1-7.5-106. Secretary of state - duties and powers. 1-7.5-106.5. Registration record - list of mail ballots. 1-7.5-107. Procedures for conducting mail ballot election - primary elections - first-time voters casting a mail ballot after having registered by mail to vote - in-person request for ballot - repeal. 1-7.5-107.2. Manner of early voting - securing ballots cast during early voting. 1-7.5-107.3. Verification of signatures - rules. 1-7.5-107.5. Counting mail ballots. 1-7.5-108. Mail-in ballots. (Repealed) 1-7.5-108.5. Designation of inactive status in connection with mailing of mail ballots. 1-7.5-109. Write-in candidates. 1-7.5-110. Challenges. 1-7.5-111. Report to the general assembly. (Repealed) 1-7.5-112. Repeal of article. (Repealed) 1-7.5-113. Voting at group residential facilities. 1-7.5-114. Watchers at voter service and polling centers. 1-7.5-115. Emergency voting - replacement ballots - electronic transfer - rules - definition. 1-7.5-116. Applications for absentee ballot. (Repealed) Part 2 Counting mail ballots 1-7.5-201. Appointment of election judges for counting mail ballots. 1-7.5-202. Hours a counting place open for receiving and counting mail ballots. 1-7.5-203. Delivery of mail ballots to supervisor judge. 1-7.5-204. Preparing to count mail ballots - rejections. 1-7.5-205. Counting mail ballots. 1-7.5-206. Paper ballots or electronic system. 1-7.5-207. Voter verification - mail ballot information. 1-7.5-208. Certificate of mail ballots cast - survey of returns. 1-7.5-209. Preservation of rejected mail ballots. 1-7.5-210. Maintenance of mail ballot election voting records - transmittal of such records to secretary of state.
Part 1 Mail ballot elections
1-7.5-101. Short title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Mail Ballot Election Act".
1-7.5-102. Legislative declaration.
1-7.5-103. Definitions.
As used in this article 7.5, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Designated election official" means official as defined in section 1-1-104 (8).
(2) "Election" means any election under the "Uniform Election Code of 1992" or the "Colorado Municipal Election Code of 1965", article 10 of title 31, C.R.S.
(3) "Election day" means the date either established by law or determined by the governing body of the political subdivision conducting the election, to be the final day on which all ballots are determined to be due, and the date from which all other dates in this article are set.
(3.5) "Independent mail ballot election" has the meaning set forth in section 1-13.5-1102.
(4) "Mail ballot election" means an election for which eligible electors receive ballots by mail and vote by mailing those ballots, depositing the ballots at, as applicable, drop-off locations or voter service and polling centers, or, as applicable, by voting at a voter service and polling center. The term does not include an independent mail ballot election.
(5) "Mail ballot packet" means the packet of information provided by the designated election official to eligible electors in the mail ballot election and to persons preregistered to vote pursuant to section 1-2-101 (2) who will be eighteen years of age on the date of the mail ballot election. The packet includes the ballot, instructions for completing the ballot, a return envelope, and, if applicable, a secrecy envelope or sleeve.
(6) "Political subdivision" means a governing subdivision of the state, including counties, municipalities, school districts, and special districts.
(7) "Return envelope" means an envelope that is printed with spaces for the name and address of, and a self-affirmation to be signed by, an eligible elector voting in a mail ballot election, that contains a ballot for the elector, and that is designed to allow election officials, upon examining the signature, name, and address on the outside of the envelope, to determine whether the enclosed ballot is being submitted by an eligible elector who has not previously voted in that particular election.
(8) "Secrecy envelope" means the envelope or sleeve used for a mail ballot election that contains the eligible elector's ballot for the election, and that is designed to conceal and maintain the confidentiality of the elector's vote until the counting of votes for that particular election.
1-7.5-104. Mail ballot elections - applicability - optional for political subdivisions other than a county.
For all general, primary, odd-year, coordinated, recall, and congressional vacancy elections, the county clerk and recorder shall conduct the election by mail ballot under the supervision of, and subject to rules promulgated in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., by, the secretary of state.
1-7.5-104.5. Ballots and supplies for mail voting.
(4) (a) On the mail ballot instructions, the following statements must be printed: "All ballots are counted in the same manner." and "You must sign the affirmation on the envelope. Do not sign, initial, or print your name on the ballot."
1-7.5-105. Preelection process.
1-7.5-106. Secretary of state - duties and powers.
(1) In addition to any other duties prescribed by law, the secretary of state, with advice from election officials of the several political subdivisions, shall:
(a) Prescribe the form of materials to be used in the conduct of mail ballot elections; except that all mail ballot packets shall include a ballot, instructions for completing the ballot, and a return envelope;
(b) Establish procedures for conducting mail ballot elections; except that the procedures shall be consistent with section 1-7.5-107;
(c) Supervise the conduct of mail ballot elections by the election officials as provided in section 1-7.5-105 (3).
(2) In addition to other powers prescribed by law, the secretary of state may adopt rules governing procedures and forms necessary to implement this article and may appoint any county clerk and recorder as an agent of the secretary to carry out the duties prescribed in this article.
1-7.5-106.5. Registration record - list of mail ballots.
(3) The county clerk and recorder or designated election official shall record in the statewide voter registration system created in section 1-2-301 (1) the names and precinct numbers of eligible electors, together with the date on which the mail ballot was sent and the date on which each mail ballot was returned or otherwise cast. For unaffiliated electors in a primary election, the county clerk and recorder shall record which political party's ballot the elector cast. If a mail ballot is not returned or otherwise cast, or if it is rejected and not counted, that fact must be recorded in the statewide voter registration system. The information is subject to public inspection under applicable laws and rules.
1-7.5-107. Procedures for conducting mail ballot election - primary elections - first-time voters casting a mail ballot after having registered by mail to vote - in-person request for ballot - repeal.
(2.3) (Deleted, 2016.)
(2.7) Subsequent to the preparation of ballots in accordance with section 1-5-402 but prior to the mailing required under subsection (3) of this section, and no sooner than forty-five days nor later than thirty-two days before an election, a designated election official shall provide a mail ballot to a registered elector requesting the ballot at the designated election official's office or the office designated in the mail ballot plan filed with the secretary of state.
(3) (a) (I) Except as provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), not sooner than twenty-two days before a general, primary, or other mail ballot election, and no later than eighteen days before the election, the county clerk and recorder or designated election official shall mail to each active eligible elector, at the last mailing address appearing in the registration records and in accordance with United States postal service regulations, a mail ballot packet, which must be marked "DO NOT FORWARD. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.", or any other similar statement that is in accordance with United States postal service regulations. Nothing in this subsection (3) affects any provision of this code governing the delivery of mail ballots to an absent uniformed services elector, nonresident overseas elector, or resident overseas elector covered by the federal "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act", 52 U.S.C. sec. 20301 et seq.
(II) For a primary mail ballot election, the mail ballot packet must be mailed only to active registered electors. If the twenty-second day before an election is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the county clerk and recorder or designated election official may mail ballot packets pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) on the Friday immediately preceding the twenty-second day.
I state under penalty of perjury that I am an eligible elector; that my signature and name are as shown on this envelope; that I have not and will not cast any vote in this election except by the enclosed ballot; and that my ballot is enclosed in accord with the provisions of the "Uniform Election Code of 1992".
(d) An eligible elector may obtain a replacement ballot if the ballot was destroyed, spoiled, lost, or for some other reason not received by the eligible elector. An eligible elector may obtain a ballot if a mail ballot packet was not sent to the elector because the eligibility of the elector could not be determined at the time the mail ballot packets were mailed. The designated election official shall keep a record of each ballot issued in accordance with this paragraph (d).
(3.5) (a) Unless otherwise provided by section 1-2-201 (5), the requirements of this subsection (3.5) apply to a person who registered to vote in accordance with article 2 of this title and who has not previously voted in an election in Colorado.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the requirements of this subsection (3.5) do not apply to any person who is:
(I) Entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the federal "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act", 52 U.S.C. sec. 20301 et seq.;
(II) Provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under section (b)(2)(B)(ii) of the federal "Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act", 52 U.S.C. sec. 20102 et seq.; or
(B) Deliver the ballot to any person of the elector's own choice or to any duly authorized agent of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official for mailing or personal delivery; except that no person other than a duly authorized agent of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official may receive more than ten mail ballots in any election for mailing or delivery; or
(II) If an eligible elector returns the ballot by mail, the elector must provide postage. The ballot shall be received at the office of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official or a designated drop-off location, which shall remain open until 7 p.m. on election day. All envelopes containing mail ballots must be in the hands of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election. Mail ballot envelopes received after 7 p.m. on the day of the election but postmarked on or before the day of the election will remain sealed and uncounted, but the elector's registration record shall not be canceled for failure to vote in a general election. For an election coordinated by the county clerk and recorder, the drop-off location other than secure drop boxes shall be designated by the county clerk and recorder and located in a secure place under the supervision of a municipal clerk, an election judge, or a member of the clerk and recorder's staff. For a mail ballot election not coordinated by the county clerk and recorder, the drop-off location shall be designated by the designated election official and located in a secure place under the supervision of the designated election official, an election judge, or another person designated by the designated election official.
(II) (A) Repealed.
(d) In designating voter service and polling centers under this subsection (4.5), a county clerk and recorder shall take into account the factors described under section 1-5-102.9 (1)(c)(I).
1-7.5-107.2. Manner of early voting - securing ballots cast during early voting.
(2) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), the voting machines, electronic voting machines, or ballot boxes must remain locked and secured with a numbered seal, and the tabulation of the votes cast must remain unknown until the time prescribed in section 1-7.5-202 for counting voters' ballots. Alternatively, except for electronic voting equipment and mail ballot boxes, the ballot boxes must be opened each night, and the voted ballots must be placed in a transfer case that is locked and secured with a numbered seal. A record must be maintained consisting of the date and seal number of each ballot box and transfer case until each ballot box and transfer case is transferred pursuant to section 1-7.5-203 for preparation for counting and tabulating. When a seal is broken, the designated election official and a person who is not of the same political party as the designated election official shall record the number of the seal and maintain the seal along with an explanation of the reasons for breaking the seal. During the time the voter service and polling center is not open, the designated election official shall have the custody and keys of any voting machine or electronic voting equipment being used for the casting of ballots.
1-7.5-107.3. Verification of signatures - rules.
(1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, in every mail ballot election that is coordinated with or conducted by the county clerk and recorder, an election judge shall compare the signature on the self-affirmation on each return envelope with the signature of the eligible elector stored in the statewide voter registration system in accordance with subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section.
(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2008, p. 356, 2, effective April 10, 2008.)
(2) (a) If, upon comparing the signature of an eligible elector on the self-affirmation on the return envelope with the signature of the eligible elector stored in the statewide voter registration system, the election judge determines that the signatures do not match, or if a signature verification device used pursuant to subsection (5) of this section is unable to determine that the signatures match, two other election judges of different political party affiliations shall simultaneously compare the signatures. If both other election judges agree that the signatures do not match, the county clerk and recorder shall, within three days after the signature deficiency has been confirmed, but in no event later than two days after election day, send to the eligible elector at the address indicated in the registration records a letter explaining the discrepancy in signatures and a form for the eligible elector to confirm that the elector returned a ballot to the county clerk and recorder. If the county clerk and recorder receives the form within eight days after election day confirming that the elector returned a ballot to the county clerk and recorder and enclosing a copy of the elector's identification as defined in section 1-1-104 (19.5), and if the ballot is otherwise valid, the ballot shall be counted. If the eligible elector returns the form indicating that the elector did not return a ballot to the county clerk and recorder, or if the eligible elector does not return the form within eight days after election day, the self-affirmation on the return envelope shall be categorized as incorrect, the ballot shall not be counted, and the county clerk and recorder shall send copies of the eligible elector's signature on the return envelope and the signature stored in the statewide voter registration system to the district attorney for investigation.
(b) An original return envelope containing a voted ballot that is not counted in accordance with subsection (2)(a) of this section shall be stored under seal in the office of the county clerk and recorder in a secure location separate from valid return envelopes and may be removed only under the authority of the district attorney or by order of a court having jurisdiction.
(c) In the case of a disagreement among the election judges as to whether the signature of an eligible elector on the self-affirmation on the return envelope matches the signature of the eligible elector stored in the statewide voter registration system pursuant to the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the signatures are deemed to match, and the election judge shall follow the procedures specified in section 1-7.5-107 (6) concerning the qualification and counting of mail ballots.
(3) If the election judge determines that the signature of an eligible elector on the self-affirmation matches the elector's signature stored in the statewide voter registration system, the election judge shall follow the procedures specified in section 1-7.5-107 (6) concerning the qualification and counting of mail ballots.
(4) (a) An election judge shall not determine that the signature of an eligible elector on the self-affirmation does not match the signature of that eligible elector stored in the statewide voter registration system solely on the basis of substitution of initials or use of a common nickname.
(b) The county clerk and recorder shall provide training in the technique and standards of signature comparison to election judges who compare signatures pursuant to this section.
(5) (a) A county clerk and recorder may allow an election judge to use a signature verification device to compare the signature on the self-affirmation on a return envelope of an eligible elector's ballot with the signature of the elector stored in the statewide voter registration system in accordance with this subsection (5) and any rules promulgated by the secretary of state pursuant to subsection (6) of this section.
(b) If a signature verification device determines that the signature on the self-affirmation on a return envelope of an eligible elector's ballot matches the signature of the elector stored in the statewide voter registration system, the signature on the self-affirmation is deemed verified, and the election judge shall follow the procedures specified in section 1-7.5-107 (6) concerning the qualification and counting of mail ballots. If a signature verification device is unable to determine that the signature on the self-affirmation on a return envelope of an eligible elector's mail ballot matches the signature of the elector stored in the statewide voter registration system, an election judge shall compare the signatures in accordance with subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section.
(5.5) The county clerk and recorder shall ensure the privacy of each elector's vote when election judges are removing and separating marked ballots from return envelopes. If the county clerk and recorder chooses not to include a secrecy envelope or sleeve in the mail ballot packet, he or she must notify the secretary of state in the election plan required under section 1-7.5-105 (1) and must also explain the county's process for ensuring the privacy of marked ballots. The secretary of state shall promulgate rules to ensure the privacy of each elector's vote.
(6) The secretary of state shall adopt rules in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., establishing procedures for using signature verification devices to process ballots used in mail ballot elections pursuant to this article.
1-7.5-108. Mail-in ballots. (Repealed)
1-7.5-108.5. Designation of inactive status in connection with mailing of mail ballots.
In connection with any election conducted on or after May 10, 2013, if a mail ballot sent to a registered elector is returned by the United States postal service as undeliverable, the county clerk and recorder shall mark the registration record of that elector with the word "Inactive". The clerk and recorder shall mail a confirmation card pursuant to section 1-2-605 to any elector whose ballot was returned by the United States postal service as undeliverable.
1-7.5-109. Write-in candidates.
1-7.5-110. Challenges.
1-7.5-112. Repeal of article. (Repealed)
1-7.5-113. Voting at group residential facilities.
1-7.5-114. Watchers at voter service and polling centers.
Any political party, candidate, proponents, or opponents of a ballot issue entitled to have watchers at voter service and polling centers each has the right to maintain one watcher in the office of the designated election official and each voter service and polling center during the period in which mail ballots may be applied for or received.
1-7.5-115. Emergency voting - replacement ballots - electronic transfer - rules - definition.
(1) (a) (I) (A) If an eligible elector or a member of an eligible elector's immediate family, related to the second degree by blood, adoption, marriage, or civil union partnership, is confined in a hospital or place of residence on election day, or if, due to emergency conditions such as natural disasters arising after the deadlines by which ballots are mailed, the elector is unable to vote in person, the elector may request in a personally signed written statement that the county clerk and recorder or designated election official send a replacement ballot. The county clerk and recorder or designated election official shall provide the replacement ballot, at the office of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official during the office's regular hours of business, to any authorized representative of the elector.
(B) For the purposes of this paragraph (a), "authorized representative" means a person who possesses a written statement from the elector containing the elector's signature, name, and address of residence and indicating that the elector is unable to vote in person after the last day to mail a ballot and requesting that the replacement ballot be given to the authorized person as identified by name and address of residence.
(II) The authorized person shall acknowledge receipt of the replacement ballot with a signature, name, and address of residence.
(b) A request for a replacement ballot under this section shall be made before 5 p.m. on the day of the election, and the ballot must be returned no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election.
(c) If the eligible elector is unable to have an authorized representative pick up the ballot at the office of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official and deliver it to the eligible elector, the designated election official shall deliver a replacement ballot to the eligible elector by electronic transfer in accordance with the rules of the secretary of state. If the replacement ballot is delivered to the eligible elector by electronic transfer, the eligible elector may return the ballot by electronic transfer as set forth in subsection (4) of this section.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, after marking the replacement ballot, the eligible elector shall place it in a return envelope provided by the county clerk and recorder or designated election official. The elector shall then fill out and sign the self-affirmation on the envelope, as provided in section 1-7.5-107, on or before election day and return it to the office of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official. Upon receipt of the envelope, the county clerk and recorder or designated election official shall verify the elector's name on the return envelope and shall deposit the envelope in the office in a ballot box that is locked and secured with a numbered seal.
(3) If, following the procedure set forth in this section, the county clerk and recorder or designated election official is unable to provide a replacement ballot to an elector, the county clerk and recorder or designated election official shall provide a replacement ballot to the elector by electronic transfer in accordance with the election rules of the secretary of state. If the replacement ballot is delivered to the eligible elector by electronic transfer, the eligible elector may return the ballot by electronic transfer as set forth in subsection (4) of this section.
(4) (a) If a replacement ballot is delivered to an eligible elector by electronic transfer pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section or subsection (3) of this section, the eligible elector may return the voted ballot to the county clerk and recorder or designated election official by electronic transfer. In order to be counted, the returned ballot must be received in the office of the county clerk and recorder or designated election official by 7 p.m. on election day. Once the ballot is received, a bipartisan team of judges shall duplicate the ballot, and the ballot shall be counted in the same manner as all other mail ballots. Such judges shall not reveal how the elector has cast his or her ballot.
(b) Any elector who receives a replacement ballot by electronic transfer pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section or subsection (3) of this section shall be informed in the instructions for completing the ballot that, if the ballot is returned by electronic transfer, the ballot will not be a confidential ballot.
(c) In handling a returned replacement ballot pursuant to this subsection (4), all reasonable means shall be taken to ensure that only the judges are aware of information connecting the elector to the returned ballot.
(d) The secretary of state may prescribe by rule any procedures or requirements as may be necessary to implement this subsection (4). The rules must be promulgated in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
1-7.5-116. Applications for absentee ballot. (Repealed)
Part 2 Counting mail ballots
1-7.5-201. Appointment of election judges for counting mail ballots.
1-7.5-202. Hours a counting place open for receiving and counting mail ballots.
1-7.5-203. Delivery of mail ballots to supervisor judge.
1-7.5-204. Preparing to count mail ballots - rejections.
(III) In any election conducted by a county clerk and recorder, the signature on the self-affirmation matches the signature stored in the statewide voter registration system, or the eligible elector's marks on the application and the self-affirmation were witnessed by other persons.
(d) For the purposes of subparagraph (III) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), the signatures on an eligible elector's self-affirmation and stored in the statewide voter registration system shall be compared in the manner prescribed by section 1-7.5-107.3.
(2) If the self-affirmation on the return envelope is invalid, the election judges shall mark the envelope "rejected" and shall write on the envelope the reason for the rejection. The envelope shall be set aside without being opened, and the ballot, if cured, shall be counted.
1-7.5-205. Counting mail ballots.
(1) Mail ballots and any ballots cast at a voter service and polling center in lieu of a mail ballot must be counted after delivery of the ballots as provided in section 1-7.5-203 and after preparation of the ballots as provided in section 1-7.5-204.
(2) Mail ballots must be counted in one of the following ways:
(a) In counties that use paper ballots, the mail ballots may be counted in the same manner as paper ballots.
(b) Any county may use electronic vote-tabulating equipment for the counting of mail ballots in the same manner provided for the counting of ballots in part 6 of article 5 and parts 4 and 5 of article 7 of this title.
(c) Ballots that are cast directly on electronic or electromechanical vote-tabulating equipment at a voter service and polling center in lieu of a mail ballot shall be counted in the same manner as provided for the counting of ballots in part 6 of article 5 and parts 4 and 5 of article 7 of this title.
1-7.5-206. Paper ballots or electronic system.
In political subdivisions using a ballot card electronic voting system, mail ballots may be cast on paper ballots or may be cast on ballot cards and counted by electronic voting equipment, or both methods may be used.
1-7.5-207. Voter verification - mail ballot information.
Each county clerk and recorder shall provide electors, upon request, with information on whether the mail ballot cast by the elector was received by the county clerk and recorder, including an online mail ballot tracking system or response by other electronic or telephonic means.
1-7.5-208. Certificate of mail ballots cast - survey of returns.
(2) Upon the survey of the returns of the political subdivision by the board of canvassers formed pursuant to section 1-10-101 or 1-10-201, the board shall include in its abstract of votes the votes cast in the voter service and polling center and counted at the counting place in the manner provided for abstracting votes cast and counted in accordance with article 10 of this title.
(3) (a) (I) The returns certified by the judges and the abstract of votes cast certified by the canvass board shall, except as provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), indicate the number of votes cast in each precinct for each candidate and for and against each ballot issue and ballot question and the number of ballots rejected, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3).
(II) For primary and coordinated elections, the judges and canvass board shall either:
(A) Certify the votes cast in each precinct pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a); or
(B) Certify on the returns and the abstract of votes cast the number of votes cast on each ballot style for each candidate and for and against each ballot issue and ballot question and the number of ballots rejected.
(b) If the total number of votes cast and counted in any precinct is less than ten, the returns for all such precincts in the political subdivision shall be reported together.
1-7.5-209. Preservation of rejected mail ballots.
1-7.5-210. Maintenance of mail ballot election voting records - transmittal of such records to secretary of state.
The county clerk and recorder or designated election official shall maintain a record identifying the name and voting address of each elector who casts a ballot by mail or at a voter service and polling center at any election.