Safeguarding Our Elections:
What We’re Doing and How You Can Help

Our Commitment to Secure, Accessible, and Transparent Elections

Running elections in the United States is, by design, the job of state and local governments. The U.S. Constitution gives states the main authority to decide how elections work, and it limits the federal government’s role. Federal officials can share their views or pass laws but they do not run local elections.

Additionally, we know that beyond legislation, there is a lot of discussion at the national level about elections. This includes statements about sending ICE to polling places, repeated claims about problems with mail ballots, and accusations about stolen elections and voter fraud. We created this page to explain how we track these issues, how we respond, and how voters can get involved.

Our top priority is simple: we make sure every eligible voter in Boulder County can vote safely, securely, and with confidence in the election process.

What we are doing in Boulder County

1. Closely Monitoring Federal Activity

We track federal proposals and administrative actions that could affect elections. To stay updated and coordinated, we stay in regular contact with:

• County attorneys
• The Colorado Secretary of State
• State and national election groups, including the Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA), the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ), and the Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR)

These relationships help us share clear, consistent information about possible changes, respond quickly to new issues, and keep our community informed.

2. Strengthening Partnerships with Local Law Enforcement

Our office pays close attention to national discussions about sending federal immigration enforcement to polling places. We coordinate with local law enforcement so we can respond in the right way if any federal activity occurs. Please know that protecting voters and election workers is a top priority. We maintain a strong, ongoing partnership with our local officers and we work closely with them to make sure everyone understands voter intimidation laws and enforces them consistently.

3. Ensuring Transparency and Bipartisan Oversight

Colorado law requires people from different political parties to take part in every step of the election process, and we fully support that. In Boulder County, we:

• Employ bipartisan election judges at every stage of ballot processing
• Use recorded, 24-hour security surveillance and controlled access points
• Welcome election watchers from all political parties
• Offer public tours of our election facilities
• Communicate openly about how our procedures work

Being transparent is one of the best ways to build and maintain public trust.

4. Continuing our USPS Partnership and the Mail Ballot Process

Boulder County Elections and clerks across the state maintain a close relationship with United States Postal Service (USPS) representatives. Mail ballots form the backbone of the Colorado Election Model and we partner with USPS during every election to track our mail ballots and ensure successful delivery. When a ballot is returned to our office, our team verifies the signature on the envelope before the ballot is counted. Additionally, the statewide BallotTrax system, used by most voters in Boulder County, helps voters confirm that their ballot was received and counted. Voter fraud is exceedingly rare.

How You Can Help Protect Democracy

1. Serve as an Election Judge or Election Worker

Working in elections is one of the most direct and meaningful ways to support democracy and learn about all the election safeguards firsthand. Encourage friends and family in other states to get involved too. Every state and every jurisdiction needs election volunteers. If you want to work with us during an election, visit our Temporary Election Positions page to learn more and fill out our interest form.

2. Become an Official Election Watcher

Watchers observe key election activities and provide oversight from across the political spectrum. It’s a valuable way to contribute and see the process up close. We are confident in the integrity and security of our system, and we ask you to share what you learn with friends and family members who may have doubts. Every state has election watcher opportunities.

3. Learn About the Process

Take a tour of our Ballot Processing Center during an election or check out the resources on our website. When you learn how elections work, you can share accurate information and support trust in the system. Not every jurisdiction offers live tours like Boulder County, but every election official welcomes questions and wants the public to understand election safeguards.

4. Stay Informed About Federal Proposals

Learn about the different versions of the SAVE Act and other federal actions and share your views with your elected representatives. Public involvement plays an important role in a healthy democracy.

5. Reach Out to Friends and Family in Other States

Election laws have changed in many places. Encourage your loved ones to contact their local elections office to confirm their voter registration and learn how to vote in their state.