Helpful Websites for Voting and Election Information

Information on candidates and issues:
www.VOTE411.org (sponsored by the League of Women Voters' Education Fund)

www.votesmart.org (non-partisan information on U.S. federal and state candidates, ballot measures, issues and legislation. Includes directory of national and state political resources)

www.lwvcolorado.org (League of Women Voters' state chapter site)

www.VOTE911.org (candidate guide for all levels of government, based on your zip code)

www.cobar.org (summary report on judges' performance)

The voting process:

larimer.org/elections (Larimer County elections information)

www.ci.loveland.co.us (City of Loveland laws and procedures)

www.sos.state.co.us (state candidates, laws and procedures)

www.govotecolorado.com (register to vote, change address, change party affiliation, request mail-in ballot)

Voting Qualifications for Colorado

—United States Citizen

—18 years of age on or before election

—Resident of Colorado and the precinct for 30 days before the date of election

—Registration as a voter at least 29 days before an election (if one reaches the age of 18 or becomes a U.S. citizen during the 30 days prior to the election, that person must register at least 29 days prior to the election in order to vote.)

—Special District elections and bond issue elections may have further requirements.

 REGISTRATION

A qualified citizen may register to vote at the following locations:

● Berthoud Town Clerk, 328 Massachusetts  Ave.

● Estes Park Branch office, 1601 Brodie Ave., Rm 2

● Fort Collins City Clerk, 300 W. LaPorte Ave. www.larimer.org/elections  (for mail in registration form)

● Larimer County Clerk, 200 W. Oak St., Ft. Collins

● Loveland City Clerk, 205 East 6th St.

● Wellington Town Clerk, 3735 Cleveland Ave.

● Any Driver’s License Office in the State of Colorado

● Any County Clerk’s Office in the State of Colorado

● State offices providing public assistance

● Offices that provide state-funded programs primarily providing services to persons with disabilities. 

● Recruitment offices of the US armed forces

● High Schools and colleges/universities (for students and employees)

TO VOTE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS

To vote in party primary elections, a voter must declare his or her party affiliation.  A  party affiliation of a previously unaffiliated voter may be declared at the polls on primary election day.  A change in party affiliation must be made at least 30 days prior to the primary election.

TO VOTE IN A PARTY CAUCUS

In order to vote in a party caucus, a voter is required to be registered with his or her party for 2 months and be a resident of his or her precinct for 30 days, prior to the caucus meeting, and have registered to vote no later than 29 days before the caucus as shown by the registration records of the county clerk.

INACTIVE VOTERS

If a registered voter does not vote in a general election, his or her registration sheet is marked “inactive”.  To become “active”, the voter must update registration information or request an absentee ballot or vote in the following primary or general election.  Within 90 days after any general election, an “inactive” voter who failed to become “active” is mailed a confirmation card.  If the card is returned by      

 the Post Office as undeliverable and the voter fails to vote in the next two general elections, the voter registration may be cancelled.  If you move, contact the County Clerk (970-498-7820) regarding your registration status.

Voting

As a registered voter, you may vote in one of the following ways:

—At any vote center from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on election day.

 —In person at one of the early voting locations (in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park) designated by the County Clerk’s Office, one week before a primary or coordinated election and 14 days before a general election, through the Friday immediately preceding the election. 

—By take-home ballot -- Pick up a ballot at an early voting location listed previously.  Return the completed ballot by mail or deliver it to one of the early voting locations or County Clerk’s offices.  Ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m.  on election day.

—By absentee ballot  --  A request for an absentee ballot must be made in writing to the County Clerk, Elections Department, PO Box 1547, Fort Collins, CO, 80522, no later than 7days prior to the election.

The request should include the following information:

    Name

    Address at which you are registered

    Address to which the ballot should be mailed

    Date of birth

    Party affiliation (primary election only)

    Signature of applicant required (Agent, family member  or power of attorney CANNOT sign for 
    another person for purpose of requesting ballot.)

Once received, the absentee ballot must be filled out and returned to the County Clerk no later than 7:00 p.m. on election day.  Postmarks do not count. 

Absentee voting for municipal and other local elections follows the same procedure through the office of the City Clerk or governing body holding the election.  Absentee voting procedures should be confirmed with each Special District election board.

Provisional Ballots provide an emergency voting procedure which may be used by a voter at the polls in cases where the voter was not listed as an elector on the county’s registration books or does not provide valid ID at the polls, provided that the elector was registered prior to the registration deadline.

Larimer County Election Information

For information regarding election dates, registration deadlines, and other election information: http://www.larimer.org/elections

LARIMER COUNTY CLERK

    Larimer County Courthouse

       200 West Oak St. – Suite 5100

       PO Box 1547,  Ft. Collins, CO. 80521

       Ph:   970-498-7820

       Fax: 970-498-7847

       Ph:   970-498-7845 for absentee ballots

The County Clerk’s office is the only place to call for polling place information.