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The Colorado County Elections Office is notifying the public that ExpressVote Ballots will be the only ballot option during early voting, April 24 – May 02, due to the Election Code 123.005-123.006.
ExpressVote printing devices were rolled out in February 2020. The ExpressVote ballot is a “paper ballot.” The elections office said a traditional ballot may feel more familiar to some voters who have not used electronics, however, most voters who have voted on the printing device have quickly embraced the technology.
The ExpressVote Printer offers voters more capabilities for independent voting and puts voting back into the hands of voters that may have otherwise needed assistance, according to a release. They are touch screen ballot printing devices designed to make voting easier for the voter by offering a variety of capabilities: Enlarge the text for visual ease; change the screen color for visual ease; braille and tactile keypad to help with hand eye coordination; audio to read the ballot; touch screen for those who may have difficulty with fine motor skills.
The system gives voters several opportunities to change and verify their vote including the printing of the ballot for the voter’s review BEFORE casting the ballot. These machines do NOT store votes.
The Colorado County Elections Office said it uses the ExpressVote printing devices during early voting because it provides the capability of providing branch early voting locations for countywide voting. The office said it also allows local elections to be added to the state/county ballot with greater ease. Another added benefit is the cost savings between the blank Express Vote ballot and a pre-printed traditional ballot. Elections are expensive and the county elections office must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, the elections office said.
Election officials will be available to assist voters if they need help operating the voting equipment.
The Elections Office said, “Colorado County prides itself on assisting voters with getting their ballots cast and making sure the voices of Colorado County voters are heard by providing accurate voting results. Our mission statement is to uphold a high level of professional election standards in order to earn and preserve public confidence in the electoral process.”
Helpful hints when using ExpressVote:
• Use pressure when touching the screen. It is not sensitive.
• When making your choice, touch the middle of the box, not the corner and the choice will turn colors.
• To skip a race and undervote, the Express Vote will “caution” you, but you can touch continue to move forward without voting in the race.
• It will ask you multiple times to check your ballot to make sure your choices are selected.
• Review your ballot after it’s printed, BEFORE you put it into the ballot box.
Voters can still receive a traditional scantron ballot in their precinct polling location on Election Day, May 6.
Early voting starts Monday, April 24 and ends Tuesday, May 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.
Voting early in person is available at the Colorado County Annex, 318 Spring St., Suite 101, Columbus; Weimar City Hall, 106 E. Main St; and Eagle Lake Community Center, 100 N. Walnut.
Remember, the options available to voters before Election Day include ballot by mail, curbside voting and early voting.
Those wishing to use the ballot by mail option can do so if they meet the eligibility requirements including they will be away from their county on Election Day and during early voting; are sick or disabled; are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or are confined in jail, but eligible to vote.
The last day to receive an application for ballot by mail is Tuesday, April 25. To request an application from the Elections Office, call 979-732-6860.
For curbside voting, eligible voters will pull into one of the designated parking areas, ring the bell for assistance and an election official will come to their vehicle. Eligibility requirements to use this method include being sick or disabled or 65 years of age or older on Election Day.
The May 6 election will be a joint election. All Colorado County school districts are holding a board election and the City of Eagle Lake will hold an Alderman election.
