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Colorado absentee and mail ballot guide
Colorado absentee ballot overview
All Colorado elections are held by mail. This means that Colorado will automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter ahead of all elections.
- If you need to update your mailing address permanently, register to vote again using your new mailing address.
- If you need to update your mailing address temporarily -- because you will be out of town for a specific election -- request a one-time absentee ballot.
Colorado absentee deadlines
- Earliest day to apply: Anytime.
- Request deadline (online): N/A
- Request deadline (by mail): Received 8 days before Election Day
- Request deadline (in person): 8 days before Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (by mail): Received by Election Day
- Deadline to return your ballot (in person): Received by Election Day
Colorado absentee ballot rules
- All Colorado elections are held by mail, so you will automatically receive a mail-in ballot at your registered address.
- You can request a one-time absentee ballot if you will be away from home during a specific election.
Colorado online ballot request
Colorado does not allow you to request your ballot online.
Colorado by-mail ballot request
- Download the Colorado absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Print the application.
- Sign and date your application. This is very important.
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed application directly to your local election office as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline.
- If it’s close to the deadline, call your local election office and see if they will let you submit your application via email or fax.
- The deadline to apply by mail is: Received 8 days before Election Day.
Colorado in-person ballot request
- Visit your local election office.
- Ask the clerk to give you an absentee ballot application.
- Fill out all of the required fields.
- Sign and date your application.
- The deadline to apply in person is: 8 days before Election Day.
After you receive your ballot
- Carefully read and follow the instructions, and fill out all required fields.
- Sign and date the outside envelope.
- Mail or hand-deliver your ballot to your local election office. You can also hand-deliver your ballot to a state-provided drop box. You can use our Find Out Where To Vote tool to find an official drop box.
- If you mail your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you hand-deliver your ballot, it must be received by Election Day.
- If you miss the deadline – or forget to sign the outside envelope – your vote will not be counted.
Colorado absentee ballot ID requirements
- ID required when requesting a mail-in ballot: The signature on your absentee ballot application will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to ensure they match.
- ID required when returning a mail-in ballot: If you are are a first time voter, you may need to include a copy of your ID with your voted ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include a photo ID issued by any state or the Federal Government. If you don't have a photo ID, include a photo copy of a recent utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.
Local election office
Contact your local election office if you have questions.
Statewide election office
This is the statewide agency that is ultimately responsible for Colorado elections. You can contact them with questions, but your local election office will probably respond faster.
Colorado Secretary of State 1700 Broadway, Suite 200 Denver, CO 80290
External resources
- Colorado online voter registration
- Colorado voter status lookup
- Colorado absentee ballot tracker
- Colorado polling place locator