As we celebrate our Presidents’ Day holiday this week, you’ve likely received a ballot to select the next president for our country.
This is the first time since 2000 that we all get to vote in a presidential primary in addition to the precinct caucuses. Back in 2016, we strongly advocated for bringing back the primary system, and voters approved it, along with opening up our primaries to unaffiliated voters.
Why would a Chamber make that a priority? It was our belief then as it is now that every voice needs to be heard in the election process. And when more Coloradans from all along the political spectrum are engaged, legislators are rewarded, instead of penalized, for solving problems and crossing the aisle to get things done.
So, if you’re getting ready to participate in our primary or our caucus, here’s what you need to know:
- The Primary
- Colorado is joining more than a dozen states for Super Tuesday. Ballots are due by 7 p.m. on March 3. Find out where you can drop off your primary ballot.
- If you are unaffiliated, you will have received the ballots for both Republican and Democratic candidates, but just like our statewide primaries, you can only return one ballot. You can recycle the one you don’t use. If you submit both, neither ballot will be counted.
- You’ll see only the presidential primary on this ballot. Primary voting for all other elections in November will happen on June 30.
- The Caucuses
- You must be affiliated with a political party to participate, and the parties will host more than 3,000 precinct caucuses across the state on March 7. The Secretary of State’s Office has a directory of the parties, which each have information on their caucuses.
- While caucuses won’t select candidates for the presidential race, this is a critical part of the path to the ballot for other elected officials, from our state representatives to congresspeople.
- Caucuses also serve as a way for parties to set their platforms at a state and national level.
At the Chamber we don’t weigh in on candidate elections, but we do want all Coloradans to vote – be sure you do in March.
Kelly Brough is the president and CEO of the Chamber.
