Tuesday last day to switch party affiliation for Colorado primary
Glenwood Springs Post Independent
REGISTRATION
To register to vote or change affiliation, visit http://www.govotecolorado.com. A valid Colorado driver’s license or state ID card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue is required to use the online registration form. For more information about voter registration in Garfield County, call 970-384-3700 ext. 1770.
Tuesday is the last day for Colorado voters who are affiliated with a political party to switch their affiliation if they want to vote in a different party primary June 28.
That means Democrats, who don’t have any contested races on the ballot in Garfield County, can switch to Republican if they so desire under Colorado’s election rules and vice versa. Those affiliated with minor parties also can change their affiliation if they wish.
Colorado has an open primary, which means unaffiliated voters are allowed to declare a party affiliation up until and on primary day.
According to Garfield County Clerk and Recorder Jean Alberico, mail ballots will be sent the week of June 6 to registered Republicans and Democrats, though the only contested races this year are on the Republican ballot.
Five-term incumbent County Commissioner John Martin is facing a primary challenge from fellow Republican Aron Diaz, a Silt town trustee and former director of Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado.
Third District Congressman Scott Tipton of Cortez, who is seeking a fourth term in office, is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Alex Beinstein of Carbondale.
And the Third District’s current state Board of Education representative, Joyce Rankin of Carbondale, is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Anita Stapleton of Pueblo.
Republicans statewide also will choose from five candidates to be the party’s nominee to face U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat, in November.
Alberico’s office and clerks across the state sent out a letter earlier this month to all unaffiliated voters reminding them that they must declare a party affiliation in order to receive a ballot for the June 28 primary.
“Under state law, unaffiliated voters may affiliate with a party at any time, including Election Day, and participate in the primary,” the letter stated.
Voters who affiliate with a political party by June 20 will automatically receive that party’s ballot in the mail. Anyone affiliating after that time must visit one of the designated voter service and polling centers to pick up a ballot for vote in person.
Any eligible voter who is not registered also can do so and declare a party affiliation up until primary day at one of the designated centers, which are located at the Garfield County Courthouse and, on Election Day, at the Glenwood Springs Community Center.
