Voters should get mail-in ballots as early as today

Consider it an invitation to do your civic duty in your pajamas.

The bulk of El Paso County ballots were sent out Friday, meaning voters will open their mailboxes as soon as today to find a large white envelope with the words “Official Ballot Enclosed” printed boldly across the front.

This fall’s all-mail election is a voter’s opportunity to make some important school board, town council and ballot initiative decisions at the kitchen table.

Dressing up to go to the mailbox to mail back the ballot is optional, and you’ll have to craft your own “I Voted” sticker.

This is only the second time that El Paso County has conducted an in-the-comfort-ofyour-own-home election, with the first coming in 2001. All-mail municipal elections were held by the city of Colorado Springs in 2003 and earlier this year.

Teller County is also conducting its election by mail and will send out ballots Monday.

El Paso County commissioners, who approved the switch from polling place elections to save money, have traditionally opposed mail-ballot elections.

That’s mostly, according to Commissioner Dennis Hisey, to preserve the nostalgic experience of physically going to a polling place.

Voters have complained about the all-mail process, Hisey said.

Commissioner Douglas Bruce said mail-ballot elections are a breeding ground for fraud and cast the lone vote against breaking tradition to save money.

The county Election Department estimated mailing ballots will cost $125,000 less than holding the fall election at polling places.

Staff members also welcome the opportunity to contain the election process to their office.

“Administratively, it is a little easier on our end,” said Liz Olson, El Paso County elections manager, of mail-ballot elections.

Instead of hiring 1,900 election judges to blanket polling places, only 50 are required to oversee the processing and counting of the mail ballots.

Arguments that mail-ballot elections increase turnout may not be warranted, experts say, but since this is only the second in the county, it may be too soon to judge.

The 2001 mail-ballot election garnered a 31 percent voter turnout, compared with 26 percent and 27 percent in elections in 1999 and 2003, respectively.

In the 2005 election was held at polling places, however, the county had a 35 percent voter turnout. That year had hotly contested Colorado Springs District 11 school board races on the ballot.

Oregon has had statewide mailballot elections since 1998. Turnout increased initially, but numbers returned to those produced by polling place elections, said Andrew Dunham, political science professor at Colorado College.

“One reason people vote is not to make a difference but because they go to their local polls and see their friends and neighbors and are seen,” Dunham said. “It is kind of fun, the old civic pride.”

Mail-ballot elections can also change the campaign, he said.

Since voters can start making irrevocable decisions as soon their ballots arrive in the mail, “It cuts off the campaign or can cut off the importance of campaign issues,” Dunham said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0232 or carlyn.mitchell@gazette.com

IN EL PASO COUNTY

How to vote in El Paso County’s mailballot election:

1. Inside the envelope that will arrive at registered voter’s homes, find the ballot, a secrecy sleeve and a return envelope. Also included is an instruction sheet that is important to read to find out if you are required to include a photocopy of your ID.

2. Vote your conscience. Insert ballot into secrecy sleeve. Insert secrecy sleeve into return envelope.

3. Sign return envelope (very important, ballot invalid without signature). Seal envelope.

4. Two options for return: a) Affix a 41-cent stamp on return envelope and place in mailbox. If including a photocopy of an ID, return may require more postage. Check with the Post Office to be sure. b) Drive to one of two Clerk & Recorder offices, at 200 S. Cascade St. or on the north side of Chapel Hills Mall, and drop in ballot boxes.

If you registered to vote from Sept. 26 to Oct. 9, your ballot should be sent out next week. If you are a registered, active voter and have not received your ballot in the mail by Oct. 19, call the El Paso County Elections Department at (719) 575-VOTE (8683).

IN TELLER COUNTY

Ballots will be mailed to registered, active voters Monday. Mailed back in the return envelope with a 41-cent stamp or returned to the Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 101 West Bennett, Cripple Creek, or the Woodland Park branch, 540 Manor Court. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 6.

Call Brandi Bantz, deputy of elections, at (719) 686-8032, with questions or if you haven’t received your ballot by Oct. 22.

COMING SUNDAY

- A guide to the candidates and issues on the ballots in El Paso and Teller counties.