Attorney General opinion supports Coffman

Case-by-case cancellation of duplicate voters allowed within 90-day window

Denver, October 14, 2008 – Following a recent analysis of voter cancellations, Secretary of State Mike Coffman released an opinion from the Colorado Attorney General’s office stating that cancellations of duplicate voter records were acceptable within 90 days of a Federal Election. The analysis was prompted by an October 9 story in the New York Times, in which the article questioned the counties’ ability to cancel voters within this 90-day window.

“The opinion from the Attorney General protects the integrity of the election process and ensures each voter receives one ballot,” said Coffman.

The opinion references the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 that states that any state must “complete, not later than 90 days prior to the date of a primary or general election for Federal office, any program the purpose of which is to systematically remove the names of ineligible voters from the official lists of eligible voters.” The Act provides specific exemptions for cancellations including deceased voters and voters convicted of a felony, in accordance with state law.

Coffman also encouraged Colorado voters to visit www.GoVoteColorado.com, where they can verify their own voter registration information to confirm their information is up to date and accurate.