Nearly 12,000 more Democrats than Republicans have turned out at early-voting locations across Colorado, and Democrats so far hold an edge over Republicans in total voting turnout, according to numbers released Tuesday by the secretary of state’s office.
After the first week of early voting at polling places in Colorado, 63,580 Democrats had turned out to vote, compared with 51,903 Republicans. Unaffiliated voters had cast 45,164 ballots at early-voting sites.
Mail-in ballot returns are much tighter, though.
Democrats have requested more mail-in ballots than Republicans and also returned slightly more. But as a percentage, Republicans continue to do a better job of returning the mail-in ballots they have requested. Republicans have returned about 44 percent of the mail-in ballots they requested, while Democrats have returned nearly 43 percent, according to the secretary of state’s numbers.
Overall so far, 314,989 Democrats and 299,612 Republicans have cast ballots. Democrats lead Republicans in the number of active voters in the state, but Republicans are ahead in terms of total registered voters.
Unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest voting bloc among the state’s registered voters, have cast 197,069 ballots.
According to the secretary of state’s figures, about a quarter of Colorado’s registered voters have voted so far. County clerks on Tuesday encouraged voters who have received a mail-in ballot to return it quickly. Because mail-in ballots take longer to process and to count than Election Day ballots, clerks are worried that a crush of mail-in ballots being returned in the final hours could delay the final results.
The Vote
What You Need to Know
Mail-in ballots
• Though the deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot through the mail has passed, you can until Friday request one in person at your county clerk’s office.
• The U.S. Postal Service is urging voters to put their mail-in ballots in the mail no later than Friday to be sure they get to the right county clerk’s office in time for Election Day. Be sure to include the correct postage, which should be noted on the voter instruction sheet. Also read the instructions carefully to determine whether you need to include a photocopy of an identification card.
• Counties along the Front Range are offering mail-in ballot drop-off sites through Election Day for people who would rather deliver their ballot in person. Check with your clerk’s office for details.
• If you requested a mail-in ballot before this week and haven’t received it, call your county clerk’s office to find out where it is or request a replacement.
• If your mail-in ballot never gets to you, you can vote at a polling place on Election Day. However, you will have to cast a provisional ballot, which will be verified and counted after all the other ballots are counted.
Early voting
• Early voting ends Friday.
• Check with your county clerk’s office for locations and hours.
Resources
• Verify your voter registration information before you go to the polls at or call the secretary of state’s elections office at 303-894-2200.
• A number of groups have set up hotlines to help voters who are having trouble casting a ballot. Among the most active is Just Vote Colorado, which is part of a national voter protection effort. Call them for help at 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683).
Any problems?
• Tell us about your voting experience by sending an e-mail to newsroom@denverpost.com.
