Happy Election Day, Avalanche fans!
Normally, we’re all over the hockey- and sports-related news in the Flurries. But today, it’s going to be all voting, all ways — so no matter who you are, you’ll feel confident that your voice is being heard in the 2020 General Election.
HOW TO VOTE: ALREADY REGISTERED
If you’re a Colorado resident, it’s pretty damn easy to get out and vote. Colorado is one of the lucky states that adopted universal mail-in voting, sending a mail-in ballot to every registered voter a few weeks ahead of the 2020 election regardless of whether they applied to vote absentee.
If you still have your mail-in ballot, don’t drop it in the mailbox tomorrow! It’s officially too late for that — but if you want to fill out your ballot at home, you can still do so and drop the ballot off at any official polling location. Just make sure you sign and date the envelope with a black or blue pen before you turn it in.
Need to find the closest ballot drop box? We’ve got you covered.
Ball Arena will open for voting on 10/30! Open to Denver residents during normal voting hours. pic.twitter.com/mHmHnyyX8k
— Ball Arena (@BallArenaDenver) October 27, 2020
If you want to vote in person, Ball Arena is one of the polling locations open to all Denver residents the day of! [More information found here]
Voting in person is open until 7pm on Tuesday, but don’t get discouraged if you get in line after work today and realize you won’t reach a voting booth until after the ‘cutoff’. By law, everyone in line when the polls close is allowed to cast their vote — even if it takes hours to get through the end of the line.
Did you mail your ballot, and now you’re nervous it hasn’t arrived? That’s okay — you can automatically track your vote here.
Just remember — it’s nearly impossible to vote twice. Even if you mail in a ballot and then try getting in line, the county recorder will mark you as having voted as soon as they process the first of your two ballots they receive. If they come across another ballot in your name, it gets flagged and set aside — but not counted. From there, you can be liable to prosecution for voter fraud. So if you’re worried that your ballot didn’t make it in time, track it! Chances are, if you mailed it before October 26th (the cutoff to postmark returned ballots by mail), it’s already arrived.
Still need to find a place to vote? Use this handy website — just input your address and they’ll give you the nearest voting location.
HOW TO VOTE: STILL NEED TO REGISTER
Several states offer same-day voter registration!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 2, 2020
Text VOTER to 26797 right now to check your voter registration status or to find out where you can register in-person to vote tomorrow.#IAmAVoter pic.twitter.com/TFNA1SOqkp
Remember how we said that Colorado makes it easy to vote if you want your voice to be heard? That even applies to individuals who forgot to register ahead of the election — they’re one of 21 US states that offers same-day voter registration. All you have to do is show up to the polls with proof of address and a valid ID, and you can both register to vote and cast your ballot on the day of the election.
What’s a valid ID and proof of address?
Good question! A lot of people get scared away from voting because they aren’t sure how to prove who they are or where they live when they go to register. So here’s what you need:
- Valid proof of ID. The easiest form of ID is your driver’s license, but you can also use a valid passport, government employee ID, US-issued pilot’s license, birth certificate, veteran’s ID, or even a current utility bill, paycheck, or government-issued document. [See the full list of acceptable forms of ID here]
If you’re currently homeless, you still have the right to vote in Colorado. You can provide the address of a homeless shelter, campground, or vacant lot in the stead of a permanent residence — you’d just need to update it if you do move and find more reliable shelter.
A reminder: you have to be a US citizen to vote in a US election, and if you want to vote in Colorado you have to be an established resident. According to Colorado state election law, that means you have to have lived in Colorado for at least 22 days prior to the election. You also cannot be actively serving a sentence for a felony conviction — although Colorado is one of the US states that permits those with criminal records to vote, so don’t let a prior conviction discourage you from making your voice heard. Your right to vote is restored in Colorado the day you finish serving your sentence — even if your release date includes parole stipulations.
And remember - don’t let anyone intimidate you at the polls. If you feel like someone is trying to intimidate voters, call 720-508-6777.