Key Takeaways:
- Voters whose ballots were lost or damaged can get a replacement
- Replacement ballots contain the same content as the original ballot
- Voters can request replacement ballots at any vote center
Dogs eat more than homework.
“We have had a handful of cases where a voter’s dog actually ate part of the owner’s ballot,” said Clerk and Recorder Joan Lopez. “Luckily we have a system to replace a voter’s ballot if they are damaged or lost.”
Lopez is referring to replacement mail ballots, available to every eligible voter in the event their original mail ballot is lost, damaged or never arrived. A voter can go to any voter service and polling center beginning October 21 to request a replacement.
Lopez said security protocols ensure a voter can only vote one ballot per election.
“Every voter’s ballot envelope has a unique bar code tied to that voter, and the codes are never repeated,” she said, adding that when a voter requests a new ballot their original ballot is voided in Colorado’s voter database.
Another layer of security—signature verification—ensures the signature on every ballot return envelope matches the voter’s signature on file before the envelope can be opened to process the ballot inside.
Replacement ballots contain the same federal, state and local contests as a voter’s original ballot.
The deadline to request a replacement ballot by mail is October 28. After that date, voters should go to any Arapahoe County vote center to request a replacement ballot.
Important election dates:
Monday, Oct. 21: Voter Service and Polling Centers open.
Monday, Oct. 28: Last day to request a ballot/replacement ballot by mail.
Monday, Oct. 28: Last day to return a ballot by mail (use a drop box or drop it off at a vote center after this date).