By Shannon Lukens.
Some young voters in Steamboat Springs have received special election ballots by mistake.
This is for the Brown Ranch Special Election. They were mailed on Monday.
The City of Steamboat Springs says 184 ballots were mailed to individuals with birthdays in 2006 or later. This would be those who are 16, 17, or may have just turned 18. They would have pre-registered to vote when they turned 16.
The voter data that was given to the City of Steamboat Springs included the pre-registered voters, who have not yet turned 18.
City Clerk Julie Franklin says Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs are both aware. “While these voters should not have received ballots, election officials have security measures in place which ensures this won’t cause any errors in election integrity.”
In a press release from the City, it says election officials will flag any ballot from a pre-registration voter, which can be identified from the number on the outside of the ballot envelope. That ballot won’t be opened or counted.
Any ballots sent in error can be returned to the City Clerk at City Hall, 124 10th Street.
Here is the press release today from the City of Steamboat Springs; March 7, 2024.
Special Election Ballots Start to Arrive in Ballot Boxes
Small Amount of Ballots Issued to Pre-Registration Voters
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-March 7, 2024-As ballots hit mailboxes and the first ones are returned to secure ballot locations, the City of Steamboat Springs was notified by Routt County that the data of eligible voters used in the special election contained some pre-registration voters.
“The two agencies are aware of the situation,” said City Clerk Julie Franklin. “While these voters should not have received ballots, election officials have security measures in place which ensures this won’t cause any errors in election integrity.”
Colorado law allows otherwise eligible voters to pre-register to vote when they turn 16. The voter data received included pre-registered voters, who have not yet reached the age of 18.
If a ballot is received from a pre-registration voter, election officials will flag the ballot and it will be held in quarantine. These ballots can be identified by the voter identification number on the outside of the ballot envelope, and they will not be opened or counted. Pre-registration voters, who will not turn 18 years old by election day, can return ballots to the City Clerk at City Hall, 124 10th Street.
A preliminary review of the voter registration data shows that 184 ballots were mailed to individuals with birthdates in 2006 or later. This number will be updated once election officials complete review of individual voter registration data from 2006 to identify those voters who will turn 18 on or before election day, March 26, 2024.
All Special Election ballots must arrive before 7pm on Election Day, Tuesday, March 26, 2024.Voters should be sure to sign your ballot before returning it.
For questions concerning the special election, contact the City of Steamboat Springs City Clerk’s Office at 970.871.8248 or in-person at City Hall.
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