Critical election funding bill becomes law
Critical election funding bill becomes law
Counties to get more help from the state in shouldering costs of elections
(DENVER – June 6, 2023) – Gov. Jared Polis gave his signature to a landmark election funding bill on Tuesday, the first rate increase to the amount Colorado reimburses its 64 counties for carrying out elections since 2012.
The bill, SB23-276, won bipartisan approval in both the Colorado House and Senate with large majorities supporting the bill. As well as modernizing funding for state funding for elections, the new law also gives counties greater flexibility when hiring election judges and allows counties to recoup all costs for requested recounts.
“We appreciate the bi-partisan support for this long overdue update to state funding for our counties as they carry out the critical work of holding our elections,” said Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association. “We have worked diligently in Colorado to improve the security and accuracy of our elections over the last decade. Now the funding for that work from the state will finally approach the investment our counties have made.”
State lawmakers were eager to help counties as they work to carry out elections in what have been inarguably difficult times for election officials in Colorado and across the country. Alongside the funding increase, lawmakers created a percentage-based reimbursement mechanism which will let state reimbursement rates grow automatically over time in line with the growth of election costs over time. This new investment in election infrastructure will help maintain Colorado’s place as the nation’s leader in conducting accessible and secure elections.
“Colorado’s elections are the envy of the country - but there are always adjustments and improvements we can implement to make our election system even better,” Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, sponsor of SB23-276 said. “With this bill we were able to increase funding so that clerks can continue to improve upon our already great system and maintain the high level of confidence voters have when participating in our elections. Not only that, we’re also creating more transparency for candidates and elected officials and improving access for Native Americans, college students, and other underrepresented voters.”
The modernization of election funding is just one of many improvements that Clerk and Recorders have prioritized to improve Colorado’s elections since 2020. Other enhancements that Colorado Clerks continue to work on include improved signature verification and voter registration audits and making ballot images and cast voter records available at no cost after each election.
Additionally, Colorado County Clerks continue to explore a Citizens Elections Academy to help better inform Coloradoans about how our elections work. It is better to learn the truth from the experts rather than the lies from the grifters.
“Elections have grown in their complexity and expense and we appreciate Colorado’s willingness to step up and help us carry out this critical role in our democracy,” Crane said. “The clerks are especially appreciative of Sen. Fenberg, Sen. Kirkmeyer and Rep. Sirota for their leadership on this issue.”
About the Colorado County Clerks Association
The Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA) is a non-governmental entity; its members consist of the 64 County Clerks of Colorado and their designee. Each Clerk and Recorder's Office is responsible for issuing and recording marriage licenses, recording all real estate transactions, issuing liquor licenses, registering voters, conducting all primary, general and county elections, and, when contracted, municipal and school district elections. The Clerk and Recorder's Office also operates the Motor Vehicle Divisions in the State of Colorado for titling vehicles and issuing license plates.