Colorado: Governor Polis Submits Comments Opposing Proposed Rule to Interfere with Safe, Secure Mail-In Ballots

DENVER ~ Denver, CO - Governor Jared Polis has taken a stand against the proposed rule by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that would interfere with the constitutional power of states to run their own elections. In a letter submitted today, Governor Polis urged USPS to abandon this rule, stating that it would unlawfully insert the federal government into state-run elections.

"We will not let Donald Trump mess with our Colorado elections," Governor Polis declared. He emphasized that Colorado takes its responsibility to administer safe and secure elections very seriously and expressed gratitude for the hardworking county clerks and election volunteers. The Centennial State has a strong history of election security and voting rights, which Governor Polis is determined to protect.

Colorado has been utilizing mail-in voting for decades, with universal vote-by-mail for eligible voters since 2013. This system has proven to be one of the most successful and secure in the country, with a turnout rate of 73.4% in the 2024 general election compared to the national average of 64.3%. The majority of voters in Colorado, 92.2%, choose to return their ballots by mail while only 7.8% opt for in-person voting.

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One key aspect of Colorado's vote-by-mail system is its use of paper ballots and signature verification. Every ballot requires the voter's signature on an envelope, which is then cross-checked with the signature on file in Colorado's voter database. This process is carried out through both automated and manual verification methods across all 64 counties in the state. In cases where a discrepancy is identified, bipartisan teams of election judges conduct a thorough review of the signature. Additionally, Colorado law mandates automatic recounts for close elections and allows for requested recounts in certain situations.

Governor Polis highlighted these efforts as he criticized USPS' proposed rule for seeking to unnecessarily insert itself into the election process and potentially prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots. He stressed the importance of balancing accessibility and security in any changes to the vote-by-mail system, while the proposed rule would undermine voters' ability to participate in elections and jeopardize the safety and security of the process by involving another entity.

In conclusion, Governor Polis urged USPS to reconsider its proposed rule and respect the constitutional power of states to run their own elections. With Colorado's strong history of election security and voting rights, he is determined to protect the state's democratic processes and ensure that all eligible voters have a fair chance to cast their votes.

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