Politics
Colorado voters should stop mailing ballots after Oct. 26, officials say
Monday, Oct. 26, is the last day Colorado voters should mail their 2026 ballots; postmarks do not count, and ballots must reach county election officials by 7 p.m. Nov. 3. Voters can instead use one of the state’s 452 drop boxes, visit a voting center or cast a ballot in person before the deadline.
Colorado voters who plan to return their 2026 ballots by mail should send them by Monday, Oct. 26. After that, voters should deliver ballots to an official drop box or voting center to ensure they arrive before the statewide deadline of 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
A postmark is not enough: ballots must be in the hands of a county clerk by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. The state has 452 ballot drop boxes, and voters can find nearby locations through the office’s online voter information tool.
“More than 450 ballot drop boxes are available across Colorado, making it convenient for every eligible voter to cast their ballot in the 2026 General Election,” Secretary of State Jena Griswold said, encouraging voters to return ballots early.
Colorado sends mail ballots to the address listed in each voter’s registration record. Voters returning a ballot must sign its envelope. Ballots can be tracked from mailing to acceptance by signing up for BallotTrax at colorado.ballottrax.net.
Voters may also bring a completed mail ballot to a voting center or vote in person on a newly printed ballot. Anyone voting in person must show identification, such as a Colorado driver’s license or state ID. Voters in line by 7 p.m. Nov. 3 will be allowed to vote. If someone chooses to vote in person on a new ballot, the county clerk will not accept a mail ballot that was sent to that voter.
Voters who receive notice of a signature or identification problem may be able to resolve it through TXT2Cure, a state program intended to prevent ballots from being rejected over missing or mismatched signatures. Voters with a U.S. mobile number can text COLORADO to 28683 to receive a secure link. Those without a U.S. mobile number can use the online TXT2Cure portal.
Coloradans can register to vote or check voting information at GoVoteColorado.gov. The Secretary of State’s office also recommends using a drop box or voting center if there is any doubt that a mailed ballot will arrive on time.