Today, the Office of the Clerk and Recorder mailed approximately 494,500 ballots to all eligible, active registered voters for the November 3rd General Election. Ballots should arrive in voters’ mailboxes by Monday, October 12. If you do not receive your ballot by then, contact our Elections Department at 719-575-VOTE (8683).

“Monday morning marks an exciting moment as ballots will be on their way to eligible voters across El Paso County,” said El Paso County Clerk & Recorder Steve Schleiker. “Whether this is your first election or your fiftieth, your voice belongs in the conversation about our community’s future. Our team is honored to help every eligible voter take part.”

The 2026 General Election ballot contains contests for federal, state and local candidates, as well as 14 statewide measures and several local issues. The content of a voter’s individual ballot depends on the precinct where they reside. Voters are urged to research these items in advance utilizing the Colorado General Assembly Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book) and the El Paso County TABOR Notice mailed this month. Once an informed decision has been made, voters are encouraged to vote and return their ballot early.

Voters have three ways to cast their ballot – by mail, at a ballot drop box, or in person at a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC).

If returning their ballot through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), voters must affix adequate postage to their return envelope. The Clerk’s Office recommends that voters do not return their voted ballot by mail after Monday, October 26. All voted ballots must be returned to the Clerk and Recorder’s Office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day – Tuesday, November 3 – to be counted. Postmarked ballots received after the deadline cannot be counted.

There are 44 secure 24-hour ballot drop box locations throughout the county. Every ballot box is under 24/7 camera surveillance which is livestreamed to the public on our website.

Any voter needing a replacement ballot, or other in-person services, may visit the Voter Service and Polling Center at the Citizens Service Center at 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road. Additional VSPCs will open in phases starting Monday, October 19, for a total of 41 on Election Day. A full list of locations along with hours of operation can be viewed here.

The mail ballot packet contains an “I Voted” sticker on the instruction sheet. Six brand new colorful designs created by local students allow mail-in voters to show they have voted and remind other residents to exercise this important right. To track the status of your mail ballot through the process, sign up for BallotTrax.

For important election information and dates, voters should visit www.EPCVotes.com or contact the Clerk’s Election Department at (719) 575-VOTE (8683), or elections@elpasoco.com.