By Justin D. Grantham
Fremont County Clerk and Recorder
This year is called a gubernatorial election year. In Colorado, this means all statewide candidates will be on the ballot, including the governor. The June Primary Election will be filled with U.S. Senate and Representatives, State Governor and other statewide candidates, State Senate and Representatives, County Commissioner, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, Assessor, Sheriff, and Coroner. The Primary decides which candidates go to the General Election in November from political parties.
This year is crucial because bad actors are out there challenging election integrity and discouraging citizens from casting their votes. Overall, this year will determine the future of Colorado for the next four years.
At the state level, both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have candidates on the ballot in Fremont County. At the county level, only the Republican Party has candidates on the ballot. Starting in 2018 and going forward, unaffiliated voters in Colorado have the option to vote in primaries and this June will be no different.
Ballots will be mailed out the week of June 6. You have the option to vote in person, drop off your ballot at a vote center or the Clerk’s Office, use one of four drop boxes, or mail your ballot back.
All of the information about the location of the voting center, drop-off locations, and dropbox locations will be with the voting instructions inside the mail ballot or at www.fremontco.com.
During the past two years, there have been multiple attempts to undermine elections. Reports of election fraud by self-proclaimed experts have been released showing possible fraud in election equipment because of their lack of understanding of state election laws. Though these reports are interesting, they are mute in Colorado because we maintain paper ballots, adjudication logs, and other reports to prove the election wasn’t manipulated. There have also been reports released by true election experts and professionals in elections. They describe how physical securities, paper ballots, and tests before and audits after the election are conducted.
Colorado is one of the most secure states to vote in. I can’t speak for other states, but in Colorado, you can be assured our elections are secure, safe, and not manipulated. Election judges from both parties, background checks on all election workers, restricted two-person access to critical equipment rooms, video surveillance, controlled physical securities, paper ballots, and audits and testing performed by election judges, are just some of the precautions Fremont County takes to secure elections. If you don’t want to take my word for it, I encourage you to come in, be an election judge and see for yourself.
This year will determine most of Colorado’s elected officials for four years. This Primary will determine which candidate will go on to the ballot in the General Election in November. It is important, that we as a county vote in June and in November, so we can be accurately and equally represented at all levels of government. Don’t let those who spread election disinformation stop you from voting. Every vote matters!
Justin D. Grantham is the Fremont County Clerk and Recorder.
