[Colorado Springs, Colo. – March 2, 2022] Maybe it’s a business, school, church, or community center. Do YOU know where the perfect Voter Service and Polling Center should be? If so, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office wants to hear from YOU!
The Clerk’s Office will hold a public comment period to get input on Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPCs) locations for the 2022 General Election. The Clerk’s Office asks that anyone who either owns or knows of a suitable VSPC location to send the information to Director of Elections Angie Leath, angieleath@elpasoco.com or (719) 520-7325. The official public comment period will be open from March 3, through May 2, 2022.
“Finding suitable VSPC locations is an important part of our 2022 General Election preparations,” said Chuck Broerman, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. “We would like your help identifying up to 38 VSPC locations within the county to use for this November’s election. With your help, we can ensure that every citizen in our county that chooses to use a VSPC has the opportunity to quickly and efficiently participate in our electoral process. Finding the right VSPC locations is crucial.”
Though Colorado conducts mail-ballot elections, Colorado law stipulates that a Clerk and Recorder must operate a certain number of Voter Service and Polling Centers throughout the county. VSPCs allow citizens the opportunity to vote in person, register to vote, update their voter registration record, get a replacement ballot, or drop off their completed mail ballot. All locations also will be ADA accessible and will have user-friendly ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities.
According to Colorado law, a VSPC location must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:
- Available for Clerk and Recorder use up to two weeks preceding and two weeks after the November 8, 2022, election
- Secure computer access
- Secure internet access
- Sufficient electrical power for the equipment
- Minimum 1,600-2,000 sq. ft.
- Accessible for people with disabilities
- Sufficient public parking spaces (preferably free)
- Close proximity to public transportation lines
- A public location that typically services a significant number of people
- Geographically diverse to maximize coverage throughout the county
- Suitable restrooms for staff and voters
- Proximity to other VSPC locations
- Availability during normal business hours Monday through Friday and Saturdays, and from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, and Election Day, November 8, 2022
- Open to other minor compliance needs to satisfy state and federal law, such as posting election notice signs before and during the facility being open to the public and/or temporarily installing video surveillance equipment
“Our community has been incredibly supportive in helping us find great VSPC locations that fulfill the legal requirements in the past,” said Broerman. “I have no doubt that this community will continue to support the sanctity of our electoral process.”
If you would like to suggest a VSPC location, please include the location name along with any other helpful information such as the name and phone number of the owner or space coordinator. As a general rule, the Clerk’s Office prefers donated space.