When you vote, you’re embracing self-determination. Voting lets you decide the kinds of people you want elected to represent you and the kinds of policies and programs you want in place to fulfill your needs.
And though voting is important for all populations, it is critical for disabled people to express this right. Your vote is your voice.
Remember that no matter where we are in an election cycle, democracy is a process that runs all year, every year. This page offers you some easy ways to stay engaged as a voter and citizen anytime.
Give your voter registration some love →
If you want to vote, you must be registered to do so. Fortunately, it’s simple and fast to register as a Colorado resident. If you’re not already registered to vote, you can do that right here! Or perhaps you’ve moved recently or changed your last name, which means it’s time to update your voter registration. This is also a quick and easy task! If you verify your voter registration now, your future self will thank you.
Click here for all items related to voter registration.
Discover your many options as a Colorado voter →
Colorado makes voting easy! Of course, registered voters can vote at polling locations on election day, but Colorado voters have many additional options available to them in order to cast their ballot. Did you know…
- If you’re a registered voter in our state, you’ll automatically get a paper ballot sent directly to you in your mailbox.
- If you want to vote using the paper ballot you received in the mail, you can return your ballot to any dropbox in the state to have your vote recorded.
- If you are unable to drop off your paper ballot for yourself, someone else – a friend, family member, neighbor, home care provider, etc. – can drop it off for you! This is perfectly legal in Colorado.
- Colorado has both walk-up and drive-thru dropboxes! You don’t even have to get out of your vehicle to drop off your ballot!
- You can also track your paper ballot from the time that it’s sent to you until it’s received and recorded by your County Clerk! Click here to sign up for this free, secure service.
- If you prefer to vote in person, many polling locations actually open weeks ahead of election day so you don’t have to wait in line and can cast your ballot early!
- Notes on voters with unique circumstances:
- If you’re unhoused, you can still receive a paper ballot by mail. Simply register to vote using an address where you know that you can consistently receive mail – which can include a shelter or day center – and your ballot will be mailed to you at that same address.
- If you have a criminal record, you can still vote in the state of Colorado. Unless you are currently incarcerated, you have the right to register to vote and to cast your ballot; people on parole, probation, etc., have the right to vote. Please know that if you have been released from detention or incarceration since the last election, you will need to re-register to vote. When you are incarcerated, you lose your voter registration and have to re-register when released; you can re-register the day you are released.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Every election does have various necessary deadlines for voter registration and sending in paper ballots by mail. For example, if you are a new voter in Colorado or you need to update your voter registration, you do have to complete or update your voter registration by a certain date in order to be sent a paper ballot by mail and cast your ballot on time. Be sure, then, to check deadlines for each election so that you vote on time and your voice is heard!
Know your rights as a voter with disabilities →
By law, voting must be accessible to people with disabilities. Our state provides many options for people with disabilities to be able to vote independently or with assistance, depending on what you feel is appropriate for you. No matter how you vote, you can do so safely and securely. If you’d like to read more about your voting rights or find further resources, please check out Disability Law Colorado’s webpage here.
About voting at an in-person polling location →
If you have a disability and would like to vote in person, please know:
- Every in-person polling location is required by law to be physically accessible to people with disabilities and provide appropriate accommodations so that all people can vote.
- Every polling location is required by law to have an accessible voting system or device equipped for individuals with disabilities.
- You have the right to assistance in casting your ballot. If you cannot read, see, or operate the voting machine because of a disability, you have the right to receive assistance from any individual you choose including an official polling location employee. The person you choose cannot be your employer, or an agent of your employer or labor union. If you get assistance, that person must cast your vote the way you want and cannot try to tell you how to vote.
- If you find that an in-person polling location is not accessible to you in any way, please call or text 1-866-OUR-VOTE immediately for assistance.
About voting using the paper ballot mailed to you →
If you have a disability and would like to vote using the paper ballot that was mailed to you, please know:
- If you are unable to sign your name due to a physical disability, you have the right to vote without signing your name. You may use a signature stamp which does not require a witness. You may also sign with your “mark”, which does require a witness.
- You have the right to assistance in completing your ballot. A friend, family member, neighbor, or aide can assist you — any person of your choosing can help except for your employer, an agent of your employer, and/or your labor union. If you get assistance, that person must cast your vote the way you want and cannot try to tell you how to vote.
- If you choose to take your ballot to a ballot dropbox, these dropboxes are required to be accessible. If you go to a dropbox and discover it is not accessible, please call or text 1-866-OUR-VOTE immediately for assistance.
- If you would like someone else to put your completed paper ballot into a ballot dropbox, this is completely legal in Colorado! You can ask a friend, family member, neighbor, aide, etc. to do this for you.
About voting using an ADA electronic accessible ballot →
If you are a Colorado voter who has disabilities, you may have the right to vote by electronic ballot. Electronic ballots are designed to work with your assistive technology so you can complete your ballot from the comfort of your own home privately and independently. Electronic ballots can serve people with a range of disabilities including nonvisual voters, voters with motor disabilities, and others. Electronic ballots are available 22 days before Election Day and on Election Day. Click here for more information on how to access an electronic ballot, including step-by-step instructions on how to mark and submit an election ballot.