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The Elections Office oversees a process integral to our democratic way of life
OUR MISSION
The success of the democratic process requires fair and open elections which accurately reflect the intent of the electorate, therefore, it is our mission to conduct accurate and fair elections and in so doing protect and promote public trust and confidence by the way in which we conduct those elections. We are responsible for the integrity of the election process, and in so doing; these principles must be placed above personal or partisan gain.
Election Information: November 3, 2020 General Election
ATTENTION: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, in-person voting may be limited or unavailable at certain locations. The Montezuma County Clerk & Recorder’s Office strongly encourages all voters to return their ballots to a county-controlled 24-hour drop box or by mail. If you must vote in-person please check our website at http://montezumacounty.org or call 970-565-3728 before going to vote in-person to confirm availability
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2020 GENERAL ELECTION:
October 19, 2020, Monday – November 3, 2020, Tuesday: Voters can register to vote, obtain a replacement ballot or drop off their mail-in ballots in person at the Montezuma County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 140 W. Main Street, Suite 1, Cortez, CO 81321
Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder’s Office Election Department will be open on Saturday, October 24th and October 31st, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ballot drop off, replacement ballots.
24-hour drop box will be available for ballot drop off from October 12, 2020. to November 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the following addresses:
Montezuma County Clerk & Recorder 140 W. Main St Suite #1 Cortez Co. 81321
Dolores Town Hall 420 Central Ave, Dolores, CO 81323
Mancos Town Hall 117 N Main St, Mancos, CO 81328
Tribal Complex Building 124 Mike Wash Road Towaoc Co. 81334
Cortez City Hall 123 Roger Smith Ave. Cortez Co. 81321
Cox Conoco 18794 US-491, Lewis, CO 81327
Election Information: Frequently asked questions:
Notice of 2020 General Election:The 2020 General Election will be held in Montezuma County, Colorado, on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. All active registered voters may participate.
Mail Ballots: Beginning on October 9, 2020, the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder will send a mail ballot to every active voter. To be counted, mail ballots must be returned to and in the hands of the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder no later than 7:00 pm on Election Day, November 3, 2020. Postmarks do not count.
Polling Locations: Until 7:00 pm on Election Day, eligible individuals may also visit a Voter Service and Polling Center and register to vote for the first time, update their existing voter registration records, request the issuance of original or replacement mail ballot, or vote in-person on accessible voting devices, at the following location;
Drop-off Locations: Eligible voters may also return their voted mail ballots no later than 7 pm on Election Day November 3, 2020, by depositing them in a 24hr drop-box at any of the following locations,
Clerk & Recorder/Motor Vehicle Offices 2020 holiday closures:
January 20, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 17, for Presidents Day
May 25, Memorial Day
July 3, Independence Day
September 7, Labor Day
November 11, Veterans Day
November 26 and 27, Thanksgiving Holiday
December 24 and 25, Christmas Holiday
December 31, and January 1, 2021 New Year
C.R.S. 1-13-106 Forgery– Any person who falsely makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits any ballot before or after it has been cast, or who forges any name of a person as a signer or witness to a petition or nomination paper, or who forges any letter of acceptance, declination, or withdrawal, or who forges the name of a registered elector to a voter’s mail-in or mail ballot commits forgery which is a class five 5 felony.
C.R.S. 1-13-112 Offenses relating to mail ballots – Any person who, by use of force or other means, unduly influences an elector to vote in any particular manner or to refrain from voting, or who falsely makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits any mail ballot before or after it has been cast, or who destroys, defaces, mutilates, or tampers with such a ballot shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than eighteen months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
The Election and Recording Department can be reached at 970-565-3728 for voter and election questions or recording information. You can register to vote online at www.govotecolorado.com
The Motor Vehicle Department can be reached at 970-565-3728 for license plates/renewals or titling a vehicle. You can renew your license plates online at www.colorado.gov/dmv
You can also reach our office by email at kpercell@co.montezuma.co.us.
The ballot you receive in the mail is your official ballot and the ballot you need to vote and return to our office for processing. Ballots are mailed to all Active Eligible Voters. As soon as you receive your ballot you may vote the ballot with your choices and then return it to the Clerk & Recorder’s Office during office hours or by mail.
Remember to allow enough time for the ballot to reach our office! Postmarks do not count! Mail-in ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day
TIPS FOR MAIL BALLOTS:
QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT:
What if my ballot does not arrive? If your General Election ballot does not arrive. Please come to the Montezuma County Clerk & Recorder’s Office at 140 W. Main Street, Suite 1 Cortez, CO 81321to obtain a replacement ballot.
I spoiled my ballot, now what do I do? Please call the Montezuma County Clerk & Recorder’s Office at 565-3728 or stop by our office. You may obtain a replacement ballot during normal business hours; from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What do I do with my mail-in ballot? You can vote your ballot any time after you receive the ballot. You can either mail it back with a first-class stamp or bring it to the Montezuma County Clerk & Recorder’s Office at 140 W. Main Street, Suite 1 Cortez, CO 81321. Or drop it in the 24/7 Drive-up DropBox. All ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. election day in order to be counted.