Pair of Bills to Expand Voting & Ballot Access for Coloradans Clear Committee

DENVER, CO – A pair of bills that would make it easier for eligible confined Coloradans to vote and expand access to the ballot for candidates with disabilities cleared the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee today.

SB24-072, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, would require county clerks and county sheriffs to create and implement a plan to facilitate in-person voting for eligible voters in county jails and detention centers. Under current law, U.S. citizens over the age of 18 who are not currently serving time for a felony conviction are eligible to vote.

“Every eligible citizen should be afforded the opportunity to participate in our democracy, full stop,” Gonzales said. “But thousands of people in county jails face numerous barriers to exercising their right to vote. This bill will require eligible confined voters to be given that opportunity, and will help ensure more Coloradans are able to cast a ballot and make their voices heard.”

While Colorado has a robust vote by mail program, voters in jails and detention centers face incredible difficulty accessing the ballot. In the 2020 general election, out of an estimated eligible population of 5,205 confined voters, only 557 individuals (6.97 percent) received a ballot. In the 2022 general election, there was an estimated eligible population of 4,876 confined voters, but only 231 individuals (4.73 percent) received ballots. SB24-072 would mandate at least one day of in-person voting at each facility, alleviating the pressure on these voters to navigate the complexities of voting eligibility, which can change day-to-day, and helping ensure every eligible citizen is provided the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

HB24-1067, sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Westminster, would improve representation in government by addressing barriers candidates with disabilities face when trying to access the ballot, including a lack of remote participation options.

“Representation in government matters, but far too often folks are barred from participating in our political process due to barriers that prevent them from doing things like attending caucuses or party assemblies,” Winter said. “This bill will eliminate those barriers and help ensure that every Coloradan who wants to is able to participate in our democracy and make their voice heard.”

The legislation would require that the caucus or similar process remain an option to make it more accessible for people with disabilities to run for office. The bill would also require a precinct caucus or party assembly to offer a video conferencing participation option, unless they do not have access to broadband, in which case a telephone conferencing option would be required.

SB24-072 will now move to consideration before the Senate Appropriations Committee, and HB24-1067 will move to the Senate floor. Track SB24-072 HERE, and HB24-1067 HERE.