Reminder: Unaffiliated Colorado voters can submit 1 primary ballot

This is the first year for Colorado voters who are unaffiliated with either major party to be able to take part in their primary elections, but the Secretary of State’s Office says some people in El Paso County aren’t following instructions correctly.

Unaffiliated voters get both the Republican and Democratic primary ballots , and the first page instructs them to only submit one of the ballots.

“This was a strange set-up to begin with.”

But Chuck Broerman, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, says some are sending in both.

“Of the unaffiliated voters, we had nearly 8,000 ballots returned and unfortunately 495 of those folks voted both ballots,” he said.

Meaning those votes don’t count.

“If people can’t follow the rules then they don’t get a vote,” said Jim Egbert.

But not everyone thinks that’s fair.

“The average person who is not paying attention and not reading the directions maybe ought to be given another chance and at least contacted and say ‘hey which one do you want to submit,'” said George Richie.

“When it comes in and they see that, instead of just canceling it, they should send them something back saying what they did and explain to them what they need to do,” said Glynn Perritte.

But Broerman says that’s not possible.

“Unfortunately there is not a mechanism for recovering that under law,” he said.

To make sure your vote counts, remember to only submit one ballot.

Ballots are due back by June 26. You can send them in by mail or drop them off at drop box locations available around town.