Secretary of State Wayne Williams issues final rules enhancing election integrity

New rules protect voting rights of overseas military voters

DENVER, August 6, 2015 - Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams today announced the adoption of revised election rules that increase security in Colorado’s elections systems, protect voting options for overseas and military voters, and lay the groundwork for 2016.
 
"We are making careful preparations for the 2016 election cycle in order to ensure Colorado sets the standard for access and integrity," said Williams. "Our office is looking at ways to enhance the security of all our systems so that Coloradans have confidence in their election system."
 
The rules issued today establish a Bipartisan Election Advisory Committee that will work to ensure every eligible Coloradan has the opportunity to participate in fair, accessible, and impartial elections and that elections are conducted with integrity. The rules also enhance the security of third-party personal delivery of ballots and clarify the appointment of election watchers.
 
Since 2006, Colorado statutes have permitted overseas civilian and military voters to electronically return a ballot to their county clerk if they are stationed in an area with unreliable mail service. Revisions to Rule 16 specify that this method is allowable only if there is no other feasible way for overseas or military voters to return their ballot in a timely manner, and for the first time require an overseas voter utilizing this method to sign an affirmation that they understand this condition. Revisions to Rule 16 also explicitly prohibit internet voting.
 
"Protecting the right to vote for members of the military is a personal passion of mine. My family has a long tradition of military service. I have a nephew who just returned from Afghanistan," said Williams. "We cannot possibly know all the situations faced by service members who are deployed overseas. Sometimes it is not possible for them to successfully return a ballot through the mail, so we will do the hard work necessary to guarantee that they have the ability to participate."
 
The complete revised election rules (PDF) are available at the Secretary of State’s website.