Page 5 - October 2020 proof - The Castle Pines Connection

Municipal Happenings
Douglas County ballots arriving mid-October
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; information provided by Douglas County
Douglas County will mail ballots to registered voters beginning the week of October 12 for the November 3 election. The general election, which will include a vote in the presidential race as well as other local and national issues, will be an all-mail ballot election. To receive a ballot by mail, residents need to be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State by October 26. To register, visit http://www.govotecolorado.gov/.
In Colorado, residents can register to vote up until 7 p.m. on election night at Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPC). VSPC offer citizens the opportunity to:
• Register
• Update voter registration
• Replace a ballot
• Vote in person (including an ADA accessible voting machine)
• Drop off a ballot
The County offers many VSPC locations that open in three phases, beginning with early voting on October 19. For a complete list of locations, days and times, visit https://www.douglas.co.us/elections/voter-service-and-polling- centers/.
If a voter’s ballot has not arrived in the mail by October 20, contact the County Clerk’s of ce at 303-660-7444. A ballot can also be tracked by visiting http:// www.govotecolorado.gov/ and clicking on “Find my registration” and logging into the voter record; individuals can then check their ballot status.
Douglas County encourages voters to return ballots by mail or to one of the 20 ballot drop boxes located across the County. Ballot drop boxes are open 24 hours, seven days a week beginning October 12 through 7 p.m. on November 3. For a complete list of ballot drop box locations, visit https://www.douglas. co.us/elections/ballot-drop-off-locations/. If returning a ballot via the U.S. Postal Service, it is advised that “domestic, non-military voters mail their completed ballots before Election Day and at least one week prior to your state’s deadline.” All ballots must be received (not postmarked) by 7 p.m. on election night, November 3.
Colorado has conducted all-mail ballot elections since 2014 and is regarded as a national model for election security and high voter turnout. To learn more about the process a ballot goes through and how the Douglas County elections of ce ensures that every ballot is counted, visit https://www.douglas.co.us/life- of-a-ballot-follow-your-votes-journey/ and watch the short video.
5
What’s on your ballot?
By Kathy Fallert
If you are curious about what to expect on your ballot for the upcoming November election, here are two great resources available to answer your questions.
Ballotpedia, a nonpro t and nonpartisan online resource, is a digital encyclopedia of American
politics and elections. It is committed to neutrality
in its content and provides accurate and objective information at all levels of government. If you are making decisions about how you will vote in federal, state and local elections, Ballotpedia provides the latest political news and analysis.
So how does it work? It is as simple as going to ballotpedia.org, clicking on “What’s on your ballot?” and typing in your address. A sample ballot including all issues you will be eligible to vote on is generated, including links to analysis and additional information.
Additionally, Ballotpedia includes neutral, accurate
and veri able information about government of cials and the of ces they hold, political issues and public policy, elections, candidates, and the in uencers of politics. Its online resources currently feature more than 303,000 encyclopedic articles, and it offers daily, weekly and monthly email newsletters on a variety of specialized topics. To learn more, visit ballotpedia.org.
Similarly, the Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book) provides voters with the text, title and an impartial analysis of each initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law or question on the ballot at the state level. The analysis includes a summary
of the measure, the major arguments both for and against the measure and a brief scal assessment
of the measure. The analysis may also include any other information that will help voters understand the purpose and effect of a measure.
The Colorado Blue Book is scheduled to be mailed to registered voters on October 2. For more information or to read the 2020 Colorado Blue Book or the Fiscal Impact Statements, visit http://leg.colorado.gov/ content/initiatives/initiatives-blue-book-overview/ ballot-information-booklet-blue-book.
October 2020