Since 2022, the Clerk and Recorder’s Elections Division and the Sheriff’s Office have worked together to give confined voters the same voting options all other voters can access. Other counties allow voters to receive mail ballots while detained, but Arapahoe County is unique in setting up an in-person voting center at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility every election.
While approximately 98% of Arapahoe County voters vote by mail ballot, in-person voting offers options like using assistive devices for voters with disabilities and language interpretation services.
“No one gives up their right to vote if they’re awaiting trial. They should receive the same level of service every other voter gets,” said Clerk and Recorder Joan Lopez. “The voters take pride in exercising their rights, you can see it on their faces.”
Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown shared Lopez’s sentiments, noting the Constitution guides their service to confined voters.
“Our Office's role… requires us to ensure that all constitutional rights and privileges are adhered to, and voting is one of them. We are proud to offer in-custody voting to those individuals who are not currently under sentence and are qualified to vote.”
The Clerk and Recorder and the Sheriff’s Office partner on other voter services, including adding voter registration information on a digital kiosk regularly used by detainees.
The Clerk’s Office will have elections staff at the Detention facility for four days this election cycle, from October 24 to October 28.