2010 Colorado Voter Empowerment Card

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 500,000 members dedicated to defending the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the Constitution and our nation's civil rights laws. The ACLU doesn't endorse or oppose any candidate or party, but we believe that no civil right is more important in our democracy than the right to vote.

WHO CAN VOTE
Can I vote in Colorado?
• You can vote in the November 2 election if you're registered to vote by Monday October 4, 2010.
• You can register if you meet all of the following qualifications: (1) you're a U.S. citizen; (2) you will have been a resident of Colorado and the district where you're registering for at least 30 days prior to Election Day; (3) you'll be at least 18 years old on Election Day; and (4) you're not serving a sentence for a felony conviction.

What if I'm a student?
• You can register to vote at whatever address you regard as your primary legal residence. This can be your school address or your home address.

What if I've been convicted of a crime?
• If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you can vote, but you have to vote by absentee ballot if you're still in jail.
• If you were convicted of a felony in a state or federal court, you can vote if you're not currently incarcerated or on parole. You can vote while on probation.

What if I'm homeless?
• You don't need a home to register, but you do have to identify the address of a place which will accept mail on your behalf (such as a shelter, a homeless service provider, or a private residence). This mailing address will constitute your residence for purposes of registering or voting. This address may NOT be a post office box or general delivery at a post office.

What if I've moved or changed my name?
• You should re-register every time you move or change your name.
• If you moved before October 4, and didn't re-register you can complete a change of address form at your county clerk and recorder's office and vote in your new precinct on Election Day.
• If you moved after October 4, you can return to your old precinct and vote there if you sign a change of address form, or you can call your county clerk and recorder's office before Election Day to find out where to vote.
• If you changed your name since you registered, you can have your name changed at your county clerk and recorder's office or by filling out a change of name form on Election Day.

What if I miss the registration deadline?
• Call your county clerk and recorder's office to see if you're eligible to register by completing an emergency registration affidavit. Otherwise, you won't be able to vote in the November 2 election, but you can register to vote in other future elections.

How do I know if I'm registered?
• You can check your registration status online at http://www.govotecolorado.com, or by calling your county clerk and recorder's office.

VOTING EARLY
Can I vote before Election Day?
• Yes. Any registered voter can vote before Election Day by casting a mail-in ballot or by casting a ballot in person at an early voting center.

How do I get a mail-in ballot?
• You have to submit an application no later than Tuesday, October 26, to receive your ballot by mail or by Friday, October 29 for in-person pickup. You can get an application for an absentee ballot at your county clerk and recorder's office or you can download one at http://elections.colorado.gov/. Applications can be made in person, by mail, or by fax.

What's the deadline for returning my absentee ballot?
• To be counted, your absentee ballot must be received by your county clerk and recorder's office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

VOTING ON ELECTION DAY
When is Election Day?
• Tuesday, November 2

When are the polls open?
• Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You have the right to vote if you're in line or inside your polling place when the polls close. C.R.S. § 1-7-101.

Can I get time off from work to vote?
• Maybe. If your work schedule doesn't give you 3 hours off before or after work while the polls are open, you have the right to take time off from work (up to two hours of which must be paid time off) in order to vote. You have to make arrangements with your employer prior to Election Day, and your employer can specify which hours you can take off, except that you can ask that they be at the beginning or the end of your shift. C.R.S. § 1-7-102.

Where do I vote?
• On Election Day, you have to vote at the polling place to which you're assigned.
• You should receive a voter information card that contains information about the next election and where to vote. You can also contact your county clerk and recorder's office to find out where to vote.

What if my polling place is not accessible to persons with disabilities?
• Polling places and systems are required to be accessible to people with disabilities. C.R.S. § 1-5-703; C.R.S. § 1-5-704. Call your county clerk and recorder's office before Election Day to verify that your assigned polling place will meet your needs.
• If you prefer, you can vote in the mail-in voters' polling place, or you can ask the election judge for assistance and receive it from one of the election judges or an eligible voter of your choice. C.R.S. § 1-7-111.

Can I get a ballot in my native language?
• If you vote in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Denver, Otero, Rio Grande, or Saguache County, you have the right to get a ballot and other election materials in Spanish. If you vote in La Plata or Montezuma County, you have the right to get a ballot and other election materials in Navajo and Ute. Poll workers in these counties are required to offer this assistance to you. If they don't, just tell a poll worker that you want materials in one of these languages. You're entitled to a translation of all ballots and other election materials.
• Other counties may also be providing materials in Spanish. Contact your county clerk to find out what's available in your area.
• Even if language assistance isn't available where you vote, you have the right to bring an interpreter with you to the polls or to get assistance in your language from anyone you choose, including a poll worker, as long as the person is not your employer, and agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your labor union. 42 U.S.C. § 1973aa-6; C.R.S. § 1-7-112.

What if I need help in the voting booth?
• If you need help because of a physical disability or because you can't read the ballot, tell a poll worker when you get to your polling place. You also have the right to have any eligible voter you choose assist you in the voting booth, including an election judge. C.R.S. § 1-7-111.

VOTER ID
Do I have to show ID?
• Yes. Colorado law requires all voters to show some form of identification before receiving a regular ballot.

What are the accepted forms of ID?
• Accepted forms of ID include a valid Colorado driver's license, a valid ID card (with photo) issued by the Department of Revenue, a valid state or federal employee ID card with a photo, a valid U.S. passport, a valid U.S. military ID card (with photo), a valid pilot's license, a valid student ID card (with photo) from an institution of higher education located in Colorado, a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood, a certified naturalization document, a valid Medicare or Medicaid card, and a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, pay check, or any other government document that shows your name and address. C.R.S.§ 1-1-104(19.5).

What if I don't have any ID?
• You can cast a provisional ballot. But that ballot won't be counted unless an election official verifies your eligibility. You will need to call your county clerk and recorder's office and find out how to present your ID for verification before Tuesday, November 16. If you have time and have ID at home or work, it's usually better to get your ID and return to the polls to cast a regular ballot.

PROBLEMS AT THE POLLS
What if I'm not on the voter list?
• First, ask a poll worker to check the list again and to confirm that you're at the right polling place. Offer to spell your name.
• If you're at the right polling place but your name isn't on the voter list, ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if your name is not on the voter list, as long as you're willing to swear that you believe you registered to vote. C.R.S. § 1-8.5-101(1).

What if I go to the wrong polling place?
• Go to the right polling place. You can ask a poll worker to help you find the polling place where you're registered. You can also call your county clerk and recorder's office to find out where to go.
• If you can't figure out where you're registered, go the polling place that you think is most likely to be the right one and ask for a provisional ballot. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if you're not sure that you're at the right polling place. C.R.S. § 1-8.5-101(1).

What if someone challenges my right to vote?
• Ask to take the oath of challenged voters. You have the right to vote on a regular ballot if you take this oath and sign a form saying that you are eligible to vote. C.R.S. § 1-9-204.

What if someone tries to intimidate or harass me?
• Tell a poll worker right away. If the poll worker is the problem, tell a poll watcher, call your county clerk and recorder's office, or call one of the election hotline numbers listed below..

What if I make a mistake on my ballot or the voting machine malfunctions?
• Tell a poll worker before you cast your vote. If you make a mistake on a paper ballot, you have the right to up to three replacement ballots as long as you return each one to the poll worker. C.R.S. § 1-7-303. If your voting machine malfunctions, ask for a different machine or a paper ballot.

How do I make a complaint?
• First, ask for a supervisor at your polling place. Candidates, political parties, and nonprofit groups may also have poll watchers at your polling place who might be able to assist you. If any of those people ask you who you voted for, or if they can't resolve your complaint, call your county clerk and recorder's office or the Secretary of State.
• You can also call one of the election hotline numbers listed below..

TIPS FOR AVOIDING PROBLEMS
• Check your voter registration status at least 30 days before the election.
• Vote before Election Day, using early voting or absentee voting.
• Vote early in the day to avoid the last-minute rush.
• Bring some form of identification.
• Ask for help if you need it.
• Take your time. All voters have up to 15 minutes to cast their votes. C.R.S. § 1-7-115; 8 CO ADC 1505-1:7.6.1 Voters with disabilities have an unlimited amount of time. 8 CO ADC 1505-1:7.6.2

MORE INFORMATION
• Colorado Elections Division: (303) 894-2200
• U.S. Department of Justice: (800) 253-3931
• ACLU Voting Rights Project: (877) 523-2792
• ACLU of Colorado: (303) 777-5482