Every November, Colorado voters turn out in impressive numbers.
Every June, a different story unfolds.
Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who faithfully vote in general elections never cast a ballot in the primary elections that help determine which candidates appear on the November ballot in the first place. Many of these voters are unaffiliated voters, who comprise more than half of Colorado’s electorate. Many independent voters don’t realize how much influence they have or how easy it is to participate.
This matters because primary elections shape the choices voters ultimately see in November.
Whether your priorities are housing, education, public safety, the environment or Colorado’s economic future, it is important to recognize that many elections are effectively decided in the primary.
In many districts, the candidate who wins a party’s nomination is strongly favored to win in November. That means voters who skip the primary may miss their best opportunity to influence who ultimately represents them.
For many races, participation cannot begin in November. It starts in June.
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The challenge is not that voting is difficult. Colorado has built one of the strongest, most accessible election systems in the country. Ballots are mailed directly to voters. Registration is straightforward. Election information is widely available.
The challenge is that too many voters do not believe the primary election matters.
That perception is understandable — but it is wrong.
For unaffiliated voters, the opportunity is especially significant.
Colorado law allows unaffiliated voters to participate in either party’s primary election. Voters can choose either a Democratic or Republican primary ballot without joining either party. Casting a primary ballot does not change their unaffiliated status. It simply gives them a voice in selecting candidates from one party before the general election arrives.
Opting out of a party does not mean opting out of the primary process.
Broader participation means elections more accurately reflect the communities they serve. It means more perspectives are heard and more Coloradans have a stake in the outcome.
This is not about supporting one party or one candidate. It is not about advancing a political agenda or influencing a particular race.
It is about putting the best Coloradans forward to represent us in elected office.
Primary elections deserve the same attention and consideration that we routinely give to general elections.
As primary ballots arrive this month, we encourage every eligible voter, especially those who regularly vote in November but have never voted in a primary, to take a closer look.
You do not need to know everything before you participate. You do not need to belong to a political party. You do not need to become a political expert.
You simply need to use the voice you already have.
Colorado’s future is shaped long before Election Day.
The primary election is where that process begins.
Bill Owens, a Republican, served as Colorado governor from 1999 to 2007.
Bill Ritter Jr., a Democrat, served as Colorado governor from 2007 to 2011.
Tim Wirth, a Democrat, served as a U.S. representative from 1975 to 1987 and a U.S. senator from 1987 to 1993.
Hank Brown, a Republican, served as a U.S. representative from 1981 to 1991 and a U.S. senator from 1991 to 1997.
The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy. Learn how to submit a column. Reach the opinion editor at opinion@coloradosun.com.
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