Take time to prepare for Election Day
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2, and some deadlines are approaching before then that people should meet in order make sure their voting process runs smoothly.
Ballots were mailed to registered voters in Phillips County from Oct. 8-15. In addition to the ballot itself, the ballot packet contains a secrecy sleeve with instructions and a return envelope.
Registered voters who did not receive their ballots by Monday, Oct. 18, and still do not have them should contact the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder’s office at 970-854-3131 to confirm their information is correct.
Those who are not registered to vote can do so at www.govotecolorado.gov. The last day to register online and receive a ballot in the mail is Monday, Oct. 25. People can still register in person at the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder’s office up through Election Day.
The office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-noon; and Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Ballots must be signed and returned to the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder no later than 7 p.m. on Nov. 2. Postmarks do not count. Completed ballots can be returned by mail to the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder at 221 S. Interocean Ave. in Holyoke.
Voters who do not want to return their ballots through the mail have other options to make sure their voices are heard.
A drop box is located at the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder’s office. A 24-hour drive-up box is also located across Campbell Avenue to the east of the Phillips County Court House parking lot.
Another 24-hour drop box is located in front of Haxtun Town Hall at 145 S. Colorado Ave.
The items that Colorado voters will be weighing in on this election include Amendment 78, Proposition 119 and Proposition 120.
Amendment 78 involves legislative authority for spending state money. Because it is a proposed amendment to the Colorado Constitution, it will only pass with at least 55% of the vote.
Voting “yes” on Amendment 78 is a vote to require that all state spending be allocated by the state legislature and that custodial money be deposited in and spent from a new fund.
Voting “no” would allow state agencies to continue spending custodial and certain other money without appropriation by the state legislature.
Proposition 119 requires a simple majority to pass. It involves the creation of the Colorado Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress program.
Voting “yes” on Proposition 119 is a vote to fund financial aid for tutoring and other out-of-school enrichment and instruction through an increase in retail marijuana taxes and transfers from existing state funds. Voting “no” is a vote against creating and funding the program.
Proposition 120 requires a simple majority to pass. It concerns a reduction in the property tax assessment rate.
A “yes” vote lowers property tax assessment rates for multifamily housing and lodging properties and does not impact assessment rates for other types of residential and nonresidential property.
Voting “no” is a vote to keep the assessment rates for lodging and multifamily housing properties that are in current law.
In addition to Amendment 78, Proposition 119 and Proposition 120, Haxtun voters will also vote in a board of education election as well as on two town of Haxtun ballot issues.
The Holyoke school board election was canceled since there are only two candidates for three open board seats.