As winter fades and this year’s election season kicks into high gear, San Miguel County voters can look back upon months of progress and ahead to a busy and active election season. Local caucuses and assemblies drew record participation from electors this winter and spring, and we anticipate historic levels of voter turnout in 2008.

Here is a quick look back at where we have been: After extensive testing, new legislation, rules and conditions, all electronic voting equipment in San Miguel County, including the HART Escan, has been recertified by the Colorado Secretary of State. In March, all of Colorado’s 64 counties moved to a statewide voter registration system called SCORE II. My staff and I recently attended training on this system, and completed a two-week “mock election” with the Secretary of State’s office.

You no longer have to apply on an annual basis to vote by mail. Voters in San Miguel County may now sign up to receive mail-in ballots for all special district and county elections on a permanent basis. This is the easiest way to receive your ballot and vote; when our office sent out a letter in March detailing this option, we generated tremendous response, and many voters have already signed up. (Keep in mind that, for municipal elections, you may need to apply to the Norwood, Mountain Village or Telluride Clerk and Recorder’s offices.)

With the Aug. 12 Primary Election fast approaching, please keep in mind the following: You must register to vote at least 30 days prior to the Primary Election in August and the Nov. 4 election. Applications to vote are found in our office, as well as at the website of the Colorado Secretary of State, www.sos.state.co.us. Be sure that the physical and mailing addresses you use to register are both current and correct, and that you know your party affiliation. Verify information at the election department in the courthouse, or at the Secretary of State’s website.

Those seeking to vote in the Primary Election must declare a party affiliation.

Finally, if you are planning to be out of town or need additional time to study the ballot, please consider the permanent mail ballot application.

Watch the mail in June for detailed information regarding both elections, including individual precinct designations.

When it comes time to cast your vote, the format of the 2008 elections will look similar to those of 2006 and 2007, with precinct polling locations, DRE’s (Electronic Voting Equipment) and both paper and mail-in ballots.

For the past two years, we have worked with a combination of paper and electronic voting. San Miguel County has sufficient optical scan and DRE’s as required by the Help Americans Vote Act (HAVA). We have always ordered sufficient paper ballots for all of our voters, and will continue to do so.

As always, I value your comments, and welcome any questions you may have!



The San Miguel County Clerk and Recorder’s Office can be contacted at 970/728-3954 or clerkandrecorder@sanmiguelcounty.org.