For Immediate Release
Contact: Alissa Vander Veen
(719) 520-7322; (719) 351-9626
AlissaVanderVeen@elpasoco.com

VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – Colorado Springs, CO – In a Presidential Election year, there is typically a dramatic increase in voter registration as citizens participate in this most patriotic American right.  The deadline to register to vote for the General Election is Tuesday, October 9, 2012. The best way to register to vote and verify your registration is to go to GoVoteColorado.com.

Voter Registration Drives can be conducted by various organizations or political parties.  The El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Office is providing this information so that citizens will be more familiar with Voter Registration Drives.  It is important for people to understand how the VRDs function – whether you are a citizen who is approached by a drive to register to vote – or a worker for one of the VRDs circulating voter registration applications.

The Voter Registration Drives are not affiliated with or regulated by the Clerk & Recorder’s Office.  The completed voter registration application forms collected by the VRD, however, are turned into the Election Department in the Clerk’s Office for processing.  If a person filling out the application resides in a county other than El Paso, the VRD is required by law to turn in the form to that county where the elector resides. 

It is acceptable for a worker with a Voter Registration Drive to do “pre-screening” – asking a person which candidate they support or their political party affiliation.   And, once completed, the worker is obligated by law to turn the form into the County Clerk’s Office.

How is a Voter Registration Drive regulated?  A group that consists of two or more people which both distributes and collects voter registration applications in the state is required to register as a Voter Registration Drive with the Colorado Secretary of State (SOS).  A group of two or more people which only distributes the voter applications but does not collect them is not required to register with the SOS.

The person designated as the Organizer for the VRD must complete a training session that includes the laws and rules which apply before the drive may begin.  Additionally, training also is required for the people who are circulators for the VRD. The training of the Organizer and circulators of the VRD is to ensure that the voter registration applications will be handled correctly and the process follows the law and SOS rules.
The circulators for the VRD may not be paid per voter registration application, based on the number of applications they distribute or collect.  If they are paid, it must be by the hour or by the day.

A standard Colorado Voter Registration Application form is provided to the VRD to use that includes a tear-off receipt.  The circulator should be sure that the receipt is completed and then give it to the person who has registered to vote.  The voter should keep this as it may be needed when they go to vote.

The Secretary of State maintains a list of approved, registered Voter Registration Drives which is available on the SOS website,    http://www.sos.state.co.us/  along with additional information.  A written complaint against a VRD may be filed with the Secretary of State if a person believes the VRD has not complied with state statutes or rules.

A voter who registers with a VRD may check their registration at www.GoVoteColorado.com to ensure their registration form has been processed and that all information is correct.  This website also can be used by currently registered voters to check their status and update their information. 

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Alissa Vander Veen
(719) 520-7322; (719) 351-9626
AlissaVanderVeen@elpasoco.com

VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – Colorado Springs, CO – In a Presidential Election year, there is typically a dramatic increase in voter registration as citizens participate in this most patriotic American right.  The deadline to register to vote for the General Election is Tuesday, October 9, 2012. The best way to register to vote and verify your registration is to go to GoVoteColorado.com.

Voter Registration Drives can be conducted by various organizations or political parties.  The El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Office is providing this information so that citizens will be more familiar with Voter Registration Drives.  It is important for people to understand how the VRDs function – whether you are a citizen who is approached by a drive to register to vote – or a worker for one of the VRDs circulating voter registration applications.

The Voter Registration Drives are not affiliated with or regulated by the Clerk & Recorder’s Office.  The completed voter registration application forms collected by the VRD, however, are turned into the Election Department in the Clerk’s Office for processing.  If a person filling out the application resides in a county other than El Paso, the VRD is required by law to turn in the form to that county where the elector resides. 

It is acceptable for a worker with a Voter Registration Drive to do “pre-screening” – asking a person which candidate they support or their political party affiliation.   And, once completed, the worker is obligated by law to turn the form into the County Clerk’s Office.

How is a Voter Registration Drive regulated?  A group that consists of two or more people which both distributes and collects voter registration applications in the state is required to register as a Voter Registration Drive with the Colorado Secretary of State (SOS).  A group of two or more people which only distributes the voter applications but does not collect them is not required to register with the SOS.

The person designated as the Organizer for the VRD must complete a training session that includes the laws and rules which apply before the drive may begin.  Additionally, training also is required for the people who are circulators for the VRD. The training of the Organizer and circulators of the VRD is to ensure that the voter registration applications will be handled correctly and the process follows the law and SOS rules.
The circulators for the VRD may not be paid per voter registration application, based on the number of applications they distribute or collect.  If they are paid, it must be by the hour or by the day.

A standard Colorado Voter Registration Application form is provided to the VRD to use that includes a tear-off receipt.  The circulator should be sure that the receipt is completed and then give it to the person who has registered to vote.  The voter should keep this as it may be needed when they go to vote.

The Secretary of State maintains a list of approved, registered Voter Registration Drives which is available on the SOS website,    http://www.sos.state.co.us/  along with additional information.  A written complaint against a VRD may be filed with the Secretary of State if a person believes the VRD has not complied with state statutes or rules.

A voter who registers with a VRD may check their registration at www.GoVoteColorado.com to ensure their registration form has been processed and that all information is correct.  This website also can be used by currently registered voters to check their status and update their information. 

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