By Shannon Lukens. (Picture of sample ballot.)

 

UPDATE — Press Release from the Moffat County Clerk and Recorder’s office on Oct. 31.

Ballot Printing Issue Press Release — October 31, 2024- Update

Craig, Colorado- Moffat County clerk and recorder Stacy Morgan posted an update on the replication of voted ballots for the 2024 General Election. To estimate the ballot return the county clerk referred to turnout in the last election and estimates a high turnout of more than 7,000 ballots. A large proportion of the ballots returned will need to be replicated by the bi-partisan teams.

“Moffat County is responding to meet this challenge thrust upon our election. The process takes time, and our citizens are stepping up to meet the call. I am so appreciative of all the support and how everyone is coming together to get this done for voters accurately and with integrity,” said Clerk Morgan.

The elections office is onboarding the last of the bipartisan teams and will, of course, reach out if more assistance is needed.

Ballot duplication is a standard procedure that happens in every election. Ballot duplication, which is open to observation, involves replacing a damaged or unscannable ballot with a new ballot that election judges mark in the same way as the original.

The clerk’s office will continue to update their website.
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UPDATE IN THE NORTHWEST COLORADO NEWS — OCT. 31, 2024

Ballots are due this Tuesday, Nov. 5.

• In Routt County, 7,916 have been returned.
• In Rio Blanco County, 1,829 have been returned.
• In Moffat County, 2,854 have been counted as of midnight Tuesday.

The ballots in Moffat County had a printing error so extra judges have been needed from both political parties to watch the process of fixing each ballot, whether it was mailed in or you voted in person.

“The process is completely safe. Either way that you do it, your vote is going to count.”

That’s Moffat County Clerk Stacy Morgan. She says many people have offered to be election judges to help.

“All of the surrounding communities in Northwest Colorado have been stepping. This process takes time and I’m just so appreciative of all the support we have received.”

Certified election judges from both political parties from throughout Northwest Colorado are watching the process carefully, to help Moffat County.

Morgan asks that all Moffat County residents turn in your ballot as soon as possible since the process to count each ballot is more time consuming.

Routt County says the county’s HR department is checking on availability of having admin or office staff living in Moffat County help out with the election needs in Moffat County. If so, Routt County would cover their salaries if they can help out.

Ballots counted in Colorado through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 29, 2024

 

 

ORIGINAL STORY ON OCTOBER 29, 2024

Moffat County is having a problem with their ballots. It’s because of the printing vendor. Moffat County Clerk and Recorder Stacy Morgan says the printing error keeps the ballots from being scanned by the voting equipment.

Morgan says the error is with timing marks, which are cut off on the ballot. She says it does not impact a voter’s vote from being properly counted.

“I want to reiterate that all your votes will be counted exactly how you intended.”

 

Do not throw away your ballot. Still fill it out and drop it off in the secure dropbox at the County Courthouse. Voters can also vote in person at the Voter Service and Polling Center, also at the Moffat County Courthouse.

 

Morgan says her staff, and the bipartisan election judges in the community are “going to work tirelessly to ensure this is corrected for our voters.”

 

The bipartisan team of election judges “will follow the well-established and strictly regulated ballot duplication process. This is a normal process during every election that election judges use to ensure ballots that have been damaged or are otherwise un-scannable can be counted.”

 

Certified election watchers are allowed to observe the process. The Moffat County Clerk’s Office is also receiving help from the Colorado County Clerks Association and the state elections office. Both Democrat and Republican parties, locally and statewide, have been notified.

 

Additional election judges are needed at the Moffat County Clerk and Recorder’s office to help. Election judges are paired in bipartisan teams so members of both parties are being asked to sign up to help. They’ll be paid $15 an hour.

 

Morgan says she has told the vendor to reimburse Moffat County for the bad printing, extra work for staff, and supply costs because of their error.

“Moffat County did not ask for this. And I have demanded that the vendor fully reimburse Moffat County and our taxpayers for all printing, staff, and supply costs resulting from their error to ensure that they make Moffat County citizens whole.”

 

The Colorado Secretary of State’s office confirms that the printing error has also affected ballots in Huerfano and Las Animas counties.

 

Full Statement from Moffat County Clerk & Recorder Stacy Morgan