A judge ruled Thursday that Arapahoe County must accept mail-in ballots at all of its polling places for the upcoming election.
Arapahoe County District Court Judge Mark Hannen granted the injunction requested by Secretary of State Bernie Buescher last month.
Legislation passed last year requires that counties provide a way for people to drop off mail-in ballots at all polling places.
But Arapahoe County fought the state, saying it was an unfunded mandate. Hannen, however, disagreed and ordered the county to accept the ballots.
“We are pleased that Judge Hannen determined that election laws can be enforced all across the state, and that no individual county can refuse to comply with the law,” Buescher said in a written statement.
Arapahoe County Attorney Kathryn Schroeder said she plans to file a request for a stay — asking the court to stop the effect of the order until the county can appeal.
If denied, the county plans to ask the state appellate court for the stay.
Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Nancy Doty said because the county has about 200 polling places, it would cost up to $80,000 to collect the mail-in ballots. Buescher said a survey of other counties showed costs between $20,000 to $30,000.
“I’m disappointed,” Doty said. “It’s going to be difficult to comply at this late date. We have to hire about 40 more people. I have to get teams together.”
Those costs include acquiring more ballot boxes, hiring people to collect the mail-in ballots and securing more vehicles to transport the ballots.
Buescher said Arapahoe County was the only county in Colorado that refused to accept the mail-in ballots at all polling stations.
Election Day is Nov. 2.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
