Primary ballots arrive for some

By now you have probably received your ballot for the Boulder County Democratic Presidential Primary, unless you are registered as a Republican. If you are unaffiliated or independent, you will receive two ballots, but return only one. (If you live in a different county in Colorado, you should have received the ballot from the county where you reside and are registered to vote.)

The official Democratic ballot must be returned by March 3. It lists 17 candidates for president, including a few that you have probably never heard of, even if you have been following the debates for the past year.

The “down ballot” races for Senate, County Commissioner, and other offices will be decided by a primary election June 30. On March 7, delegates will be selected at a caucus to represent the winner of that primary at the County Assembly.

According to Boulder Democratic officials, “The caucus is the first step in the process for candidates running for all offices except president; caucus is one way they can be on the primary ballot in June. If they don’t get enough support at caucus or they don’t participate, they can also petition to be included on the ballot.”

If you are interested in participating in the March 7 caucus, you must register by February 14 at https://www.bocodems.org/caucus/. The caucus will be held at the Middle/Senior High School in Lyons. Precinct leaders are Jen Wingard and Claudia Kean. Registration begins at 1:30 pm, with the caucus starting at 2 pm.

Starting this year, 17 year olds who will turn 18 by election day in November can vote in the primary elections.