Steamboat Pilot & Today

Election 2012

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Steamboat Springs — With the voter registration deadline less than a week away, Routt County Clerk and Recorder Kay Weinland is encouraging voters to verify their information online.

Pretty much everything voters might need to do can be done by visiting www.govotecolorado.com. From there, voters type in their name, birthday and zip code. Using a driver's license or ID number, voters then can change their address and political party affiliation. They also can choose to permanently receive a ballot in the mail.

People who are not registered to vote can do so at the website if they have a Colorado driver's license or ID card. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 9.

People who don't want to use the website can visit the Clerk and Recorder’s office in the Routt County Courthouse in downtown Steamboat Springs.

As Election Day approaches, Weinland is anticipating voter turnout to be in excess of 90 percent. She said that is typical during a presidential election. On Tuesday, there were 18,670 people registered voters in Routt County. Of those, 13,538 are active voters, of which 4,953 are unaffiliated, 4,265 are Republicans and 4,065 are Democrats.

In odd-numbered years, Routt County conducts elections using only mail-in ballots. In even-numbered years such as this one, Routt County mails out ballots and makes in-person voting available.

If voters have signed up to receive a mail-in ballot, those will be mailed Oct. 15. People who receive a mail-in ballot can choose to vote in person by surrendering their ballots.

Early in-person voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 to 26 and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 at the Routt County Courthouse annex.

On Election Day Nov. 6, polling locations throughout the county will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find polling locations here.

This year, some voters will be voting online. That option has been made available to Routt County residents who live overseas. Weinland said 43 people have requested online ballots and 11 voters have cast those ballots.

“People are so grateful for that opportunity,” Weinland said.

Important dates

Oct. 9 Deadline to register to vote

Oct. 15 Ballots are mailed to voters

Oct. 22 Early voting begins at the Routt County Courthouse annex

Nov. 2 Last day for early voting

Nov. 6 polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for people who want to vote in person. It’s also the last day to hand deliver mail-in ballots. Find polling locations here.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247 or email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com