Secretary of State: GOP, Democratic ballot returns nearly identical

DENVER, June 22, 2016 -- Here's the latest tally from county clerks of mail ballots received and in-person voting for the primary election, which is next Tuesday:

Democrats -- Ballots sent: 989,879; Ballots returned: 154,941; Percent: 15.65%

Republicans -- Ballots sent: 997,073; Ballots returned: 163,550; Percent: 16.40%

The numbers reflect ballots received by the counties, even if the ballots are waiting to be reviewed by election judges. The figures were updated at 7:46 this morning. A county-by-county analysis can be viewed by opening the attached file or going to Accountability in Colorado Elections, ACE, the innovative page of the Colorado's Secretary of State's website containing election and voting statistics of all kinds.

In every county except one, ballots are only going to Republicans and Democrats. Unaffiliated voters can participate in the primary by affiliating with a major party through 7 p.m. Election Day. Pitkin County is the exception, because its home rule charter permits voters who are unaffiliated or belong to a minor party to vote in primary elections, but only for candidates for county office, such as commissioner.

The only contested statewide race is the GOP primary for U.S. Senate where five Republicans are vying for the chance to unseat Democrat Michael Bennet in November. Also on the ballot are races for seven congressional districts, three Board of Education seats, three University of Colorado regent seats, 18 of 35 Senate seats, all 65 House seats, all 22 district attorney offices and assorted county commissioner races.

To check what's on your ballot: https://www.sos.state.co.us/voter-classic/pages/pub/olvr/findVoterReg.xhtml

Ballots received to date 6/22/2016 (PDF)