Q1. Do I need identification if I vote in person?
A1. All voters who vote at the polls must provide identification. While there are many forms of acceptable identification, most voters find it convenient to bring their Colorado driver’s license or a utility bill. A Colorado ID is available at no cost to those who are eligible. For more information, please contact the Colorado Department of Revenue.
Q2. When I vote and show an ID like my Colorado driver’s license, does the address on my ID need to match my voter registration?
A2. If you show ID that has an address on it, the address must be in Colorado but it does not have to match your voter registration.
Q3. If I am a new citizen, must I show proof of citizenship when I vote?
A3. If you are registered to vote, you have already affirmed to your citizenship and are not required to show proof when voting. Keep in mind that all voters are required to provide ID if they vote in person (and sometimes if they vote by mail). Please see the list of acceptable identification.
Q4. Can I get time off from my job to vote?
A4. Yes. By law, an elector may get time off without loss of pay if he or she does not have sufficient time outside of regular working hours to vote.
Q5. How can I find my polling place?
A5. To find your polling place, visit www.govotecolorado.com and review your information.
Q6. On Election Day, what is the best time to go to the polling place to vote?
A6. You are encouraged to vote between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, when polling places are the least busy.
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Q7. Will I still be able to vote if I am in line past 7:00 PM on Election Day?
A7. Voter who are in line at their polling place by 7:00 PM are allowed to vote no matter how long it takes for each person to cast his or her ballot.
Q8. If I am voting by mail, when must my mail-in ballot be received by my county clerk and recorder?
A8. Mail-in ballots must be received by the county clerk and recorder no later than 7:00 PM on Election Day. Electors are encouraged to drop off ballots at designated drop off sites or mail their ballots in time to be received by the county clerk before the polls close. Postmarks do not count; ballots must be in the hands of the county clerk by 7:00 PM on Election Day in order to be counted.
Q9. What happens when I arrive at the polling place on Election Day?
A9. When electors arrive at the polling place on Election Day, the election judges check the poll book (a list of all of the jurisdiction's registered voters), to confirm that the elector is properly registered and at the correct polling place.
Q10. What happens if my name is not in the poll book?
A10. If your name is not found in the poll book you may vote a provisional ballot. After Election Day, the election official will review the provisional ballot to verify your eligibility to vote. If you are eligible, your ballot will be counted. For more information please see Provisional Ballot FAQs.
Q11. Can I surrender my mail-in ballot and vote at the polls?
A11. If you requested a mail-in ballot, you must vote that ballot. However, if you wish to vote at the polls on Election Day, your will be required to vote a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be counted if you properly complete the provisional ballot envelope and do not return your mail-in ballot.
Q12. Will my ballot be counted if I don't vote every race on it? What if I leave some races blank?
A12. You do not have to vote on every race unless you choose to do so. Some electors only cast a vote for President while others may vote for every race. Whatever races you do choose to vote on will be counted.
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Q13. What if I need assistance with voting?
A13. Voters with special needs, including the need for language assistance, have the right to have an election judge or any other person they choose assist them with voting. Additionally, some counties provide election materials in both English and Spanish.
Q14. What should I do if I do not receive or make a mistake, damage, or lose my mail-in ballot?
A14. You may request a replacement mail-in ballot from your county clerk. You may also go to the polls and vote a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot will be counted if you properly complete the provisional ballot envelope and do not return your mail-in ballot.
Q15. Are accessible voting machines available in every polling place?
A15. Accessible voting machines are available in every polling place for voters. Accessible voting machines provide the ability for voters with disabilities, including visual impairments, to vote privately and independently.
Voters who vote using a touch screen voting machine or voting machines that use a wheel to make choices (called DREs) are encouraged to review their choices on the machine and on the paper printout. Touch screen machines place votes based on where the voter touches the screen. Sometimes voters may inadvertently touch a section of the screen that does not reflect the voter’s choice. For voting machines that use a wheel to navigate to the ballot, voters are encouraged to carefully maneuver the wheel to make appropriate selections.
Q16. What kind of campaign activities are not allowed in a polling place?
A16. Electioneering, also called campaigning, is not allowed in a polling place. Voters may not wear pins, t-shirts, hats, or other apparel that displays a preference for a candidate, political party, or ballot question.
Electioneering is not allowed within 100 feet of each polling place. Each polling place should have a sign marking the limit.
Campaign workers may be outside of polling places to offer water, snacks, and other items to voters who are in line to vote. These "comfort teams" may not campaign or wear campaign paraphernalia for a candidate, political party or ballot question if they operate within 100 feet of the polling place.
Q17. Are election judges bipartisan?
A17. Yes. Election judges, also known as poll workers, are bipartisan. Political parties provide lists of election judges to the election official. Having bipartisan election judges further ensures the transparency and integrity of the election.
Q18. Can people observe the voting process?
A18. Many polling place will have poll watchers assigned to observe the voting process. Poll watchers are certified by political parties, unaffiliated candidates, and proponents and opponents of ballot questions. Poll watchers may observe the election process from before the polls open until after the election results are posted.
Q19. Can electors show how they voted or how others voted?
A19. Colorado law does not permit anyone to show how they voted or to show how others voted. In addition, some county clerks do not permit cameras, cell phones and other electronic devices inside the polling place. While it is true that YouTube and PBS have initiated projects for voters to document their Election Day experience, there may be restrictions in your county. Please contact your county clerk for more information.
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Revised 10/21/2010
