Colorado secretary of state’s robocall reminding millions of voters to cast their ballots cost $50,000
Millions of Colorado voters Thursday evening received a robocall urging them to cast their November 2023 ballot from Colorado’s top election official, who faced criticism last year for spending money on a similar messaging campaign aimed at boosting turnout and combating election conspiracies.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office says registered voters received a call from Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold if their ballots hadn’t been returned and processed by 1 p.m. Thursday.
That’s more than 3 million people.
Coloradans who already cast their 2023 ballots may have received the 30-second robocall from Griswold, a Democrat, if their ballot hadn’t yet been opened by their county clerk. For instance, a Colorado Sun reporter who cast their ballot Wednesday still received the robocall.
“This is Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold,” the recorded message started.
It ended with: “Colorado’s elections are safe and secure. Thank you for making your voice heard in the 2023 coordinated election.”
You can listen to a recording of the call here. The campaign cost $50,000, according to Griswold’s office, which declined to comment further on the call.
Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, said that not all county clerks, who manage elections, were notified about the calls in advance.
“We are hearing from voters about it,” Crane said. “It appears that people who cast their ballots some time ago are receiving this message. We’ve had clerks who returned their ballots or clerks’ family members who have returned their ballots a week or so if not more ago, and they’ve gotten the calls.”