Colorado General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:11 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:31 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
Colorado offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Colorado by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer. All voters in Colorado who register at least eight (8) days before Election Day will receive a mail ballot. You can also register to vote in person through Election Day if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Starting a few weeks before the election, Colorado will mail ballots to every voter if they registered at least eight (8) days before Election Day. Keep an eye on the mailbox! Be sure to mail it back so that it is received by Election Day, or drop it in a drop box before or on Election Day! You can also vote in person during early voting and on Election Day if you prefer to do so. If you register to vote fewer than eight (8) days before Election Day, you can vote in person.
19 days to Election Day!
- If you're an active registered voter and you submitted your voter registration application by Oct 26, you should receive your ballot in the mail. If you don't receive your ballot, contact your local election office.
- You can return your ballot by mail or in person. Visit the Colorado website to find where to vote.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Colorado's Secretary of State website.
- If you're an active registered voter and you submitted your voter registration application by Oct 26, you will receive your ballot in the mail. If you don't receive your ballot, contact your local election office.
- If you register after Oct 26, you can still vote in person at a voter service and polling center.
- If you're not registered, you can register online or you can submit a voter registration application by mail.
What key changes should voters know about?
You may preregister to vote if you are at least 15 years old.
This is due to a law effective January 2025. Visit the Colorado Secretary of State website or contact your local election office to learn more.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Colorado’s BallotTrax website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Contact the Colorado Secretary of State to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Colorado's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Colorado.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Colorado’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you choose to vote in person in Colorado, you will need to show ID. If your form of identification shows your address, that address must be in the state of Colorado.
Acceptable forms include:
- valid Colorado driver's license
- valid ID card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue
- valid US passport
- valid employee ID with photo issued by any entity of the US government or Colorado
- valid pilot's license issued by the FAA or other authorized agency of the US
- valid US military ID with photo
- valid ID card issued by a federally recognized tribal government
- valid Medicare or Medicaid card
- certified copy of your US birth certificate
- certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood
- certified documentation of naturalization
- valid student ID with photo issued by a Colorado institute of higher education
- valid veteran's ID with photo issued by the VA
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing name and address (within last 60 days)
- division of youth services identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Human Service
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. After Election Day, your local election official will evaluate if you are eligible to vote and determine if your ballot should be counted.
Can I register to vote online?
- Colorado offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Colorado, you need to provide at least ONE of the following: Colorado driver’s license number, Colorado ID card number, OR the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have a Colorado driver’s license, Colorado ID card, or Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail.
- Colorado will mail a ballot to every voter registered at least eight (8) days before Election Day. If you register to vote fewer than eight (8) days before Election Day, you can vote in person.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Colorado offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- In Colorado, dates and times vary by where you live. Find when to vote.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Colorado's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you choose to vote in person in Colorado, you will need to show ID. If your form of identification shows your address, that address must be in the state of Colorado.
Acceptable forms include:
- valid Colorado driver's license
- valid ID card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue
- valid US passport
- valid employee ID with photo issued by any entity of the US government or Colorado
- valid pilot's license issued by the FAA or other authorized agency of the US
- valid US military ID with photo
- valid ID card issued by a federally recognized tribal government
- valid Medicare or Medicaid card
- certified copy of your US birth certificate
- certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood
- certified documentation of naturalization
- valid student ID with photo issued by a Colorado institute of higher education
- valid veteran's ID with photo issued by the VA
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing name and address (within last 60 days)
- division of youth services identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Human Service
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. After Election Day, your local election official will evaluate if you are eligible to vote and determine if your ballot should be counted.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Colorado voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Colorado, you must provide your Colorado driver's license number OR state ID number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Colorado will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Colorado partisan primary elections. If you do not register with a party, you may choose the party primary you wish to vote in. If you choose to register with a party, you can only vote in that party's primary. If you are an unaffiliated voter and return a ballot with more than one political party, the ballot will be rejected and none of the votes will be counted.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
Colorado will mail ballots to every voter if they registered at least eight (8) days before Election Day. If you register to vote fewer than eight (8) days before Election Day, you can vote in person.
How do I vote by mail?
Colorado conducts elections primarily by mail. If you are an active registered voter and you submitted your voter registration application at least eight days before Election Day, then you can expect to receive a ballot in the mail. It will be sent to the mailing address on your voter registration file.
If you are voting by mail for the first time, you may also need to provide a copy of your ID when you return your mail ballot. For more information, please visit the Colorado Secretary of State's website.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, contact your local election office. You can also vote in person at a voter service and polling center.
How do I return my ballot?
- Carefully read the instructions included with your mail ballot to know how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or use a ballot drop box or drop-off location. You can also return your ballot by visiting a voter service and polling center.
- Find a ballot dropbox or voter service and polling center near you. If you return your ballot to a ballot dropbox or voter service and polling center, it must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
- If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, plan to mail it by Oct 26. Find a USPS location near you.
If my election office finds an issue with my mail ballot after I return it, can I fix it?
In Colorado, you can correct the following issues after you return your ballot to your local election office:
- a missing signature
- a signature that does not match your signature on record
- a missing copy of an acceptable form of ID (if required)
This process is called ballot curing.
Your local election office will reach out by mail and email (if available) to give you instructions if they find an issue with this information on your ballot.
Contact your local election office for more information about ballot curing.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your voter registration with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, you can register at a voter center on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the Colorado Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 19 - Nov 3
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Nov 3
- By mail (received by) : Nov 3
Voting deadlines
- Early voting : varies by location
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. MST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. MST
- Colorado sends ballots to actively registered voters : Oct 2 - Oct 9
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you choose to vote in person in Colorado, you will need to show ID. If your form of identification shows your address, that address must be in the state of Colorado.
Acceptable forms include:
- valid Colorado driver's license
- valid ID card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue
- valid US passport
- valid employee ID with photo issued by any entity of the US government or Colorado
- valid pilot's license issued by the FAA or other authorized agency of the US
- valid US military ID with photo
- valid ID card issued by a federally recognized tribal government
- valid Medicare or Medicaid card
- certified copy of your US birth certificate
- certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood
- certified documentation of naturalization
- valid student ID with photo issued by a Colorado institute of higher education
- valid veteran's ID with photo issued by the VA
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing name and address (within last 60 days)
- division of youth services identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Human Service
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. After Election Day, your local election official will evaluate if you are eligible to vote and determine if your ballot should be counted.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Colorado Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Colorado you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a Colorado resident for at least 22 days immediately before the election in which you intend to vote, UNLESS that election is a presidential general election. In this case, you may be a resident for less than 22 days and cast a provisional ballot in person for president and vice president candidates ONLY
- be at least 15 years old, and you must be at least 18 on or before Election Day to be eligible to vote
- not be serving a sentence of detention or confinement for a felony conviction
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Colorado. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Colorado's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Colorado, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Colorado. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.