It’s a big year for the polls. No doubt you know (and will continue to be reminded) that 2020 is a presidential election year.
We want to pave the way for you to get your voice heard as easily as possible, so here’s everything you need to know about voting in Boulder County.
Dates to Remember
Feb. 8: Presentation about the upcoming elections at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center, 400 Quail Road, Longmont; free and open to the public.
Feb. 24: Last day to register to be mailed a ballot. (Note: There’s no registration deadline to vote. You can register to vote on Election Day at a Voter Service Center.)
March 3: The 2020 Presidential primary election. This is Colorado’s first Presidential primary election in two decades. Check your local political party website for information on caucuses, also in March.
June 30: Colorado’s primary elections for state and local candidates (including U.S. Senate, Congress).
Nov. 3: General election.
Voting Basics
Before you vote:
Registration is easy. You can check your voter registration online. If you’re not registered, learn how to register to vote online.
Also, make sure you understand the student registration guidelines. Colorado has special rules for students temporarily living here. You can re-register in Boulder County, but you can only vote in one single jurisdiction. If you do want to vote in Boulder County, your car needs to be registered in the state and you have to pay Colorado income taxes if you work, among other eligibility details.
When you vote:
If you choose to vote in person, you can find all of the different voting locations in Boulder County on this interactive map.
Completed ballots must be turned in by 7 p.m. on Election Day. There are 24-hour ballot drop boxes, drive-by drop-off locations and in-person locations.
After you vote:
You can track your ballot for free using the Ballot Track feature. It will send you texts, emails or a phone call to confirm your ballot has been sent and then received. Sign up for that here so you can make sure your vote is counted.
Get Involved
Boulder County has various nonprofits and other ways to get involved with the election.
New Era Colorado is one nonprofit that aims to get youth involved with politics and signed up to vote. New Era has registered nearly 200,000 young people to vote since it started in 2006. It has also trained hundreds of young leaders and helped pass various policies, such as the Colorado Votes Act, Student Loan Servicer Accountability Act and the Climate Action Plan.
The League of Women Voters Boulder County is part of the larger nonpartisan political group that encourages participation in the government. Like the larger organization, the local branch does not support any specific political party of candidate, so one of its missions is to present unbiased information about elections, how to vote and issues on the ballot.
Boulder County Elections also is hiring short-term elections positions that pay. Hours and details vary, but you can learn more and apply online. As the website puts it, “Be a part of democracy and learn the inside scoop on how our elections are run.”
