Week 8: Types of Elections

Dear Colorado Voter,

You may have heard that today is a special election in Georgia for the seat recently vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Do you know the different types of elections in CO?

• Primary elections: held in even years to advance candidates to the general election. In CO these are partisan elections that limit participation based on political party affiliation.

• General elections: the regular November even-year elections

• Coordinated elections: the elections held on the first Tuesday in November of odd years

• Local elections: a regular election conducted by or for municipalities or special districts at a time other than the general or coordinated election

• Special elections: elections held for a special purpose, such as the one to fill the seat vacated by U.S. Representative Ken Buck in 2024. These elections may be held concurrently with a regularly scheduled election or as a standalone election.

• Vacancy "elections": a new type of "election" which I'll talk about in a future email

In the primary, general, and coordinated elections, all active, eligible voters get mailed a ballot; overseas and blind voters can vote an electronic ballot; and a risk-limiting audit is conducted to confirm the results of the election. Unfortunately, these features are not always part of other elections.

The CO Voting Rights Act passed in 2025 "encourages local elections to be held in coordination with statewide elections."

Only 30 more weeks of the campaign! Please continue to check the campaign website regularly, spread the word about my candidacy, and encourage people to sign up for these weekly emails and to attend events. My social media posts are public so anyone can see them, even if you don't have an account. This week my posts had pictures of a candidate forum I participated in, a Free Tina sign I saw in Mesa County last year, a strawberry rhubarb pie and Christina Koch of the Artemis II crew.

Last week I wrote that "Most of the replies [to a SAVE Act post on one of my social media accounts] have since been deleted, presumably by a system administrator." I thought they were deleted, but I checked again later and they weren't deleted. I will always try to present accurate information and correct any misstatements.

With enthusiasm and purpose,

Celeste