Election season is almost over, so make sure to get your ballots turned in by 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 3.
Many already have voted and returned their ballot. Yuma County Clerk and Recorder Bev Wenger reports that approximately 2,200 ballots had been returned as of 12 noon Monday. She said the represents 38 percent of all ballots, and that was with eight days left.
For those who have not voted yet, it is late enough in the season that it is recommended voters deliver their ballot to one of the drop-off locations, rather than put it in the mail.
In Yuma, there is a drop-off location at Yuma City Hall, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. up through Election Day, November 3. The Yuma Motor Vehicle Branch Office inside the NJC Satellite Campus is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, including until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
The motor vehicle branch also will be a full-service election location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, including ADA accessible voting machines.
In Wray, there is a 24-hour drop box at the Election Center, 130 E. Third St. It closes at 7 p.m. on November 3. The Election Center is available for full services for voters, including ADA accessible voting machines. It is open during the week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Be sure to follow all the rules with the mail-in ballot to ensure that your vote counts.
Voter interest is high for the 2020 General Election as there are several key races and ballot issues.
Locally, there are seven candidates for two seats on the Yuma County Board of Commissioners.
In District 3, incumbent Robin Wiley, a Republican, is challenged by Democrat Dave Blach and unaffiliated candidate Phil Riggleman.
In District 2, incumbent Dean Wingfield, a Democrat, is challenged by Republican Scott Weaver and unaffiliated candidates Mindy Whomble and Betsy Blecha.
Remember, all Yuma County electors can vote for both seats no matter what district they reside.
Of course, there is the race for President of the United States. While there are numerous tickets on the ballot, including one with entertainer Kanye West, the real battle is between President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence against Democrat challengers Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Yuma’s own Cory Gardner is trying to hold on to his U.S. Senate seat as he is challenged by Democrat John Hickenlooper. (There are three other candidates.)
Incumbent Republican Ken Buck is running for another term in the House of Representatives for Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District. His main opposition is Democrat Ike McCorkle.
Regionally, Republican incumbent Rod Pelton is running unopposed for a second term as the representative for State House District 65. Republican Travis Sides is running unopposed for his first term as the district attorney for the 13th Judicial District. He currently is a deputy district attorney. Current DA Brittny Lewton has run out of terms.
There are some judges on the ballot, including Kris Jones being retained as the Yuma County Judge, and Kevin Hoyer as a 13th Judicial district judge.
There are a total of 12 ballot measures, including one by the City of Yuma changing its municipal election. (See accompanying article for more on that issue.)
Remember, updated unofficial results in Yuma County can be followed beginning on Election Night at the Yuma County Clerk & Recorder’s website. (Go to yumacounty.net, and go from there to the Clerk’s website and the election results.)
MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO NOVEMBER
Electors living within the City of Yuma have an opportunity to move the municipal election from April to November, beginning in 2025.
The city submitted the ballot question earlier this year after determining it is sustaining rising costs in having its own municipal election in April, rather than during coordinated elections in November. Plus, it would help alleviate city employees from election-related time-consuming responsibilities.
By moving to November elections, the city will be able to share costs with Yuma County, and other entities having November elections. Plus, the Yuma County Clerk and Recorder’s office is set up for dealing with elections.
As mentioned above, if Ballot Question 2J is approved, it will not go into effect until November 2025, meaning there still will be municipal elections in 2021 and 2023. The terms of future council members and the mayor will be reset accordingly.