by Bailey Garcia, staff writer

“Election security is fundamental to ensuring that every vote – and therefore every voice – matters,” says El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office.

Secure elections are important for every citizen, no matter their political affiliation. In a news release, Senate President Steve Fenberg says, “Colorado sets a national example when it comes to holding free, fair, and secure elections, and we want to keep it that way.” In the news release Secretary of State Jena Griswold says she “looks forward to working together to ensure Colorado continues to deliver the best elections in the nation for Republican, Democrat, and Unaffiliated voters across the state.”

In Colorado, registered voters can mail in their votes, drop their ballot off to a voter box, or vote in person. With this ease of voting, Colorado has put many safeguards in place to ensure accuracy and safety for every election.

• Every ballot envelope requires a signature
Colorado Public Radio says, “The signature on your ballot is compared to signatures that the state already has on file from you from the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state agencies.”

• Voter confidentiality
CPR News says, “Both state and federal law requires ballots to have no identifying information on them to protect voter confidentiality.”

• Machines involved in election processes
The El Paso County Clerk and Recorders office says, “Additional security measures include access-controlled cipher locks for rooms where ballots and voting equipment are stored and where tabulation takes place,” and the machines remain under “24/7 camera monitoring.” To test for abnormalities, “The Testing Board and Clerk and Recorder’s staff members conduct the Logic and Accuracy Test,” says El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office.

• Ballot Boxes
“There is 24/7 video surveillance of every box. The boxes are well-lighted for the safety of voters and our election judges,” ballot boxes are made of “¼ steel panels and welded for outstanding durability and strength,” says El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office.

• Election judges and staff
CPR News says the election judges, “must pass a Colorado Bureau of Investigation background check and complete an onboarding and training process.” All election staff must also pass a background check.