By Delisa Weeks
Kiowa County Clerk and Recorder
Election Information: Primary Elections FAQs
The State of Colorado holds regularly scheduled state elections every two years; a state Primary Election in June and a General Election in November.
The nominated candidates from each party’s primary ballot will be placed on the November General Election ballot. The winner of the November General Election will hold office.
Who can vote in a Primary Election?
- Voters affiliated with a major party: may cast a ballot for candidates of the party they are affiliated with.
- Voters affiliated with a minor party: if there is a minor party contest those affiliated with that minor party may cast a ballot for those candidates.
- Unaffiliated voters: An unaffiliated voter may cast a ballot for any one political party. If an unaffiliated voter returns a ballot with more than one major political party, the ballot will be rejected and none of the votes will be counted.
I am an unaffiliated voter. Do I have to choose in advance which party’s primary ballot to vote?
No, but you can if you want to. You have several options:
- You may choose which party’s ballot you want to get in the mail for the next primary election by selecting a party preference at govotecolorado.com or on any paper voter registration form.
- If you would rather receive a packet containing the ballots of all participating major parties, you can take no action or select this option when first registering to vote.
- You can also appear in person at any Voter Service and Polling Center in your county and choose the party’s ballot you want to vote.
Does selecting a ballot preference as an unaffiliated voter mean that I am joining that party?
No. An unaffiliated voter who selects a ballot preference in advance of a primary election will remain unaffiliated.
If I select a ballot preference do I have to select a ballot preference before each Primary?
Yes, ballot preference is only good for one Primary; you will need to select a preference each time.
Does voting in a party’s primary as an unaffiliated voter mean that I am joining that party?
No. An unaffiliated voter who votes in a party’s primary will remain unaffiliated. However, the primary that you vote in will be a public record (but not how you voted).
I am an unaffiliated voter. Why did I get two ballots sent to me during a primary?
Most unaffiliated voters will receive the ballots of both major political parties during a primary election. This allows an unaffiliated voter to choose which party’s primary they will vote in. Unaffiliated voters may only return one party’s ballot. Returning two voted ballots will result in neither ballot counting.
BallotTrax is a free service for Kiowa County Voters that allows you to track the status of your ballot online, as well as receive messages by text, phone or email when your ballot has been sent to you and received by our Elections Division. Kiowa County voters may sign up at votekiowacounty.ballottrax.net
The Election and Recording Department can be reached at 438-5421 for voter and election questions or recording information. The Motor Vehicle Department can be reached at 438-5421 for license plates/renewals or titling a vehicle. You can also reach our office by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
