Election Highlights and Dates
Final Primary Election Results
Elections has the responsibility of exercising any and all controls required to ensure the orderly and impartial conduct of all election events.
Prepared by:
La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s office
98 Everett St, Suite C
Durango, CO 81303
November 2, 2010 General Election
Frequently Asked Questions:
You may request a Mail-In Ballot, Vote Early or go to a Polling Place on election day.
Important Deadlines
- October 4 - Last day to register to vote for the General Election
- October 12 – First day mail-in ballots will be sent to voters with mail-in requests.
- October 18 - Early voting begins at the La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s office and Bayfield Town Hall
- October 26 – Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot for the General Election if mailed
- October 29 – Last day for early voting at the La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s office and Bayfield Town Hall for the General Election
- November 2 – General Election, polls open 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. All mail-in ballots due by 7:00 pm.
Mail-In Voting
As a registered voter, what do I have to do?
You may request a mail-in ballot at the following locations:
- Online at www.govotecolorado.com
- Download an application at www.co.laplata.co.us & mail to 98 Everett St, Ste C, Durango, CO 81303.
- Visit the La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s office at 98 Everett St, Ste C, Durango to complete an application.
If you have already requested a mail-in ballot & your registration is current, your ballot packet will automatically be mailed to you. Inside the packet you will find the official ballot, a secrecy sleeve with voter instructions and an official return envelope. Once you vote the ballot, place it in the secrecy sleeve and seal it in the pre-addressed return envelope. After verifying that the return envelope has your name and current address, sign the return envelope on the appropriate line. If you return the ballot by mail apply proper postage. If you return the ballot to a designated drop site no postage is necessary.
Where can I drop off my ballot?
La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s Office
Bodo Park, 98 Everett St, Suite C, Durango
Business Hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Saturday prior to Election Day 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Election Day 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
La Plata County Courthouse
Information Desk, 1060 E. 2nd Ave., Durango
Business Hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Election Day 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
La Plata County Motor Vehicle
Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Hwy 160B, Bayfield
Business Hours 8:30 am to 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Election Day 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
When are the ballots mailed to the voters that have requested a mail-in ballot?
Ballots will be mailed the week of October 12th.
What if my ballot doesn't come?
If you have not received your ballot within a week after they are mailed, call the La Plata County Election office at 970-382-6296. They will check that your voter registration is current. If it is, they will mail you a replacement ballot.
What if I have moved and have not updated my registration?
If you are registered to vote by the 29th day before the election but now have a different address, you may contact the La Plata County Election office. They will instruct you as to available options.
What if I do not vote on all the candidates or measures?
If you do not vote on all the candidates or measures your ballot will still count. All voted races will be counted.
What if I make a mistake, damage or lose my ballot?
You may call the La Plata County Election office and request a replacement ballot. One will be mailed to you provided the request is received no later than October 26, 2010. Otherwise, you may request a replacement ballot in person at the La Plata County Election office at 98 Everett St, Suite C, Durango, until 7:00pm on Election Day, November 2, 2010.
Your ballot has been cast as soon as you deposit it in the mailbox or at a drop site. After that, you cannot receive a replacement ballot.
Do I have to return my ballot by mail?
You have the choice of mailing your ballot or returning it to any designated drop site location. The hours and locations of drop sites are published by and available from the La Plata County Election office.
How much postage is required to mail my ballot back?
Your voted ballot can be returned with a standard first class stamp.
Can I mail multiple ballots in one return envelope?
A return envelope (contains the signature) can only contain one secrecy sleeve and one ballot. Do not save postage by including two or more secrecy sleeves with ballots in one return envelope as they will not be counted.
When must the voted ballot be returned?
The voted ballot must be received in any La Plata County designated dropsite location by 7:00 p.m. on election night. Postmarks do not count.
How do I know you received my ballot?
To verify that your Mail-In Ballot was received by the Elections Office, please call 970-382-6296 or visit our website at www.GoVoteColorado.com.
What if I did not sign my return envelope?
If you do not sign your return envelope, the La Plata County Elections office will contact you in writing to have you come into the office to sign your envelope. You have 8 calendar days after the election to sign your ballot in order for your vote to be counted.
Can I sign someone else's ballot?
No one can sign the return envelope on behalf of another voter, even if there is a power of attorney in place. The ballot will not be counted.
What if my signature has changed?
Complete a new voter registration form and submit it to the La Plata County Clerk's Office.
Will my vote still count if I forget to put my ballot into the secrecy sleeve?
Yes, the ballot will still be counted.
I’ve heard that mail ballots are only counted if there are close races. Is that true?
No. All ballots, both polling place and mail, are counted in the same manner. All valid mail ballots are counted in every election in Colorado, regardless of the outcome or closeness of any race.
Are ADA accessible voting machines available?
Yes. ADA accessible voting machines are available for use. For more information, please contact the La Plata County Elections office at 970-382-6296.
Can the public watch the election process?
All steps of the process are open to observation by the public. The major steps include:
- Preparation for mailing (about one month before the election).
- Ballot reception and signature verification (during the two weeks before the election).
- Opening envelopes and preparing ballots for counting (may start 15 days before Election Day).
- Counting ballots. No results can be disclosed until after 7:00pm on Election Day.
How are mail ballots processed?
The La Plata County Elections office hires approximately 10-14 election judges of equal party affiliation. The election judges assist with the following duties starting 15 days before the election:
- Ballot reception which is counting and time stamping all ballots received
- Signature verification
- Opening envelopes and separating return envelopes from ballots
- Pre-inspect ballots to check for irregularities and prepare for counting
- Count voted ballots with the electronic tabulation equipment
Can anyone find out how I've voted once I mail my ballot?
No. All ballots are separated from the return envelope before the ballots are inspected. This process ensures confidentiality.
Early Voting
Early voting is from October 18 thru October 29 at the La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s office at Bodo Park, 98 Everett St, Ste C or at the Bayfield Town Hall 1199 Hwy 160B. The hours will be from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday – Friday.
Please bring valid Identification.
Polling Place Voting
The La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s office will send a voter information card to all eligible electors. This card will have the name, address, precinct number and polling place location. You may also confirm your registration and polling location online at www.govotecolorado.com.
Polling Place Voting is on Election Day, November 2, 2010, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Please bring valid Identification.
Acceptable Forms of Identification
All voters who vote early or at the polls must provide identification. If you are voting by mail for the first time, you may also need to provide a photocopy of your identification.
Please note, a Social Security number (or last four digits) is not a legal form of identification for voting in person. Additionally, if any form of identification listed below shows your address, that address must be in the state of Colorado to be valid.
The following are acceptable forms of identification:
(a) A valid Colorado driver’s license;
(b) A valid identification card issued by the Department of Revenue in accordance with the requirements of Part 3 of Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S.;
(c) A valid U.S. passport;
(d) A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States government or of this state, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of this state;
(e) A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the United States;
(f) A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector;
(g) A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector. For example:
(I) A cable bill or telephone bill,
(II) Documentation from a public institution of higher education in Colorado containing at least the name, date of birth, and legal residence address of the student elector,
(III) A paycheck from a government institution or private company,
(IV) A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood, or
(V) A valid identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government certifying tribal membership.
(h) A valid Medicare or Medicaid card issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly the United States Health Care Financing Administration);
(i) A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate for the elector issued in the United States;
(j) Certified documentation of naturalization; or
(k) A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by an institute of higher education in Colorado, as defined in section 23-3.1-102(5), C.R.S.
When will election results be known?
No results can be announced until 7:00 p.m. on election night.
What if I have more questions?
Call the La Plata County Election office at 970-382-6296.
|
Polling Locations for General Election November 2010 |
||
|
Precinct(s) |
Polling Place |
Address |
|
1 & 27 |
Sacred Heart Parish School |
255 E 5th Ave, Dgo |
|
2 & 3 |
La Plata County Courthouse |
1060 E 2nd Ave, Dgo |
|
4 & 10 |
Frontier Baptist Church |
2201 Forest Ave, Dgo |
|
5 & 6 |
Needham Elem School |
2455 W 3rd Ave, Dgo |
|
7, 8 & 9 |
First United Methodist Church |
2917 Aspen Dr, Dgo |
|
11 |
Ft Lewis Mesa Elem School |
11274 Hwy 140 |
|
12, 16 & 29 |
Animas Fire - Trimble |
31263 Hwy 550, Dgo |
|
13 |
Grace Church |
1440 Florida Rd, Dgo |
|
14 |
Animas Fire - Florida |
CR 240 & 234, Dgo |
|
15 |
Vallecito Church |
17576 CR 501, Bayfield |
|
18 |
Florida Mesa Elem School |
216 Hwy 172, Dgo |
|
19, 20 & 26 |
Bayfield Town Hall (New Location) |
1199 Hwy 160B, Bayfield |
|
21 |
Sunnyside Elem School |
75 CR 218, Dgo |
|
22 |
Faith Comm Church of the Nazarene |
1400 Hwy 172, Dgo |
|
23 |
Oxford Grange Hall |
8018 Hwy 172 |
|
24 |
Ignacio 11-JT Junior High Bldg |
315 Ignacio St, Ign |
|
25 |
Allison Community Church |
2724 CR 329, Ign |
|
17 & 28 |
Colo Dept of Transportation/Training Rm |
20581 Hwy 160, Dgo |
|
30 |
Fort Lewis College Concert Hall |
1000 Rim Drive, Dgo |
