Thousands of last-minute voters cast ballots Tuesday in Montezuma County, the last day of the Colorado primary election, which included two locally contested races and several statewide races.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Montezuma County had received just shy of 6,000 ballots, up from about 4,500 earlier that morning, said County Clerk Kim Percell.
She said more than 2,000 ballots had arrived Monday, and returns continued to pour in as election staff processed ballots Tuesday.
“Normally, our last two days of the election are when we get the majority of our ballots,” Percell said. “I have been viewing my videos for drop boxes, and they have been extremely busy, so I’m expecting a large quantity of ballots returned to us today.”
The primary day deadline caps a winter and spring election season for five Republican candidate campaigns in which Montezuma County organizations hosted debates, forums and town hall appearances.
Republicans Lenetta Shull and Jerri Frizzell are running for the position of clerk and recorder, while GOP commissioner candidates include Bonnie Anderson, Rodney Cox and Diane Fox-Spratlen.
Democrat Rebecca Busic is running unopposed for the commissioner seat. The candidates are seeking the District 1 seat currently held by Jim Candelaria.
The slate of debates saw large turnout as candidates outlined their priorities and answered questions about how they would approach local issues, such as economic growth, governance over the Sheriff’s Office, and the county budget.
Running unopposed on the GOP ticket is Ellen Black for county treasurer, Tyson Cox for county sheriff and George Deavers for coroner.
The primary election is chalked full of races for federal and state offices as well, with both Republicans and Democrats campaigning. Those includes contests for U.S. senator, Colorado governor, U.S. Rep. District 3, secretary of state and several running for attorney general.
Election results will be posted through the Montezuma County website, which links to the Colorado Secretary of State’s election night reporting. The first unofficial results were expected between 7:30 and 8 p.m., with additional updates throughout the evening.
Percell said if officials cannot finish processing ballots by midnight, tabulation will resume Wednesday morning.
“Come on Montezuma County, let’s rock it!” Percell said.
Voters interested in checking on their ballot’s status can visit govoteColorado.gov. Voters may also sign up to track their ballot through BallotTrax.