Colorado Unaffiliated Voters are MIA
With the Election Day Tuesday, elections just around the corner, Colorado is facing shockingly low voter turnout numbers.
According to the Colorado Secretary of State's office, only 654,000 ballots have been returned as of the end of Thursday. This is less than 17% of the total 3.9 million active voters in the state.
Even more concerning is the breakdown of voters.
While 29% of the returned ballots have come from registered Democrats and 32% from registered Republicans, only 38% have come from unaffiliated voters. This is concerning because it shows that unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest portion of the state's electorate, they are not participating at the same level as their party-affiliated counterparts.
When asked about this low voter turnout, canvassers in the Denver metro area report hearing similar concerns from potential voters. Many are unaware of the candidates and issues on the ballot, despite the constant reminders and campaigns to get out the vote.
This lack of awareness and interest is a concerning trend, especially in a state like Colorado where automatic voter registration has resulted in a constant influx of new voters. But there's still hope for a last-minute surge in voter turnout.
Jesse Mallory, the director of Americans for Prosperity Colorado, has seen this pattern before. He believes that many voters wait until the end to cast their ballots once they have all the facts and information about the candidates and issues at hand.
However, time is running out.
Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, and postmarks do not count. To ensure their vote is counted, Coloradans can drop off their ballots at designated drop boxes in their county.
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So why are so many Colorado residents choosing to sit out this election? Are they simply not interested or is there something more at play? Regardless, it is crucial for every eligible voter to exercise their right to vote and make their voice heard.