Colorado Voter Guide
What you need to know to vote in the Nov. 8 general election
UPDATE: Polls have closed! Check out results here. >>
Our job at The Colorado Sun is to provide you with the information you need to fill out your 2022 ballot.
We get it: You’re busy. You don’t have time to research everything every candidate has ever said or what the consequences of voting for this or that ballot measure may be. We’ve got you covered.
We put together this easy-to-digest guide to the candidates and measures you’ll be voting on in November. And if you need help figuring out how to register to vote or cast your ballot, we’ve got you covered on those fronts, too.
📅 KEY DATES
OCT. 17
Ballots will start being mailed to every active Colorado voter.
OCT. 24
More than 350 voting centers will begin opening.
NOV. 1
Starting now, ballots must be dropped off at a polling location and can no longer be mailed.
NOV. 8
Election day! Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
✍️ HOW WE’RE COVERING THE ELECTION
With about a month until Election Day, The Colorado Sun wants you to know what’s been guiding our coverage of Election 2022 so far and how we’ll report on the home stretch leading to Nov. 8.
The idea is to be as transparent as possible so Coloradans can understand how and why we cover certain stories. We also want your feedback and help as we fan out across the state to bring you election coverage in these final weeks.
🙋♀️ Frequently asked questions
How do I register to vote?
Colorado has automatic voter registration if you get a driver’s license or interact in some other way with state government. But you may also register online with a valid driver’s license, Colorado identification card or Social Security number.
Is there a deadline to register?
No. Coloradans may register in person or online to vote through Election Day. To receive a ballot in the mail, you must be registered by Oct. 31, and you will have to return it to a drop box or voting center.
Do I need identification to vote?
If you vote in person, you must present identification such as a driver’s license, U.S. passport or other identification on this list. If you are voting by mail for the first time, you may also need to include a copy of ID with your mail ballot. Your clerk will provide instructions with your mail ballot if you need to return an ID with it.
🗳 How do you vote in Colorado if you’re in jail? >>
🏈 How much does it cost to run political ads during a Denver Broncos game? >>
🍸 Why is a Maryland congressman spending $1 million on a Colorado liquor license ballot initiative? >>
💬 Ask us a question
🎙 CANDIDATES ON THE ISSUES
You want to fill out your ballot, but you’re not sure which candidate to vote for. Let us help. We breakdown where each candidate stands on the issues.
8th Congressional District
7th Congressional District
State Board of Education
🗳️ STATEWIDE BALLOT Measures
We break down everything you need to know about this year’s ballot measures, including what they would do, arguments for and against, one big thing you should know and the money behind each initiative.
• Amendment D: New 23rd Judicial District Judges
• Amendment E: Extend Homestead Exemption to Gold Star Spouses
• Amendment F: Changes to Charitable Gaming Operations
• Prop. FF: Healthy School Meals for All
• Prop. GG: Add Tax Information Table to Petitions and Ballots
💰 CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Money allows candidates to spread their messages to potential voters directly through mailers, canvassing, broadcast and digital ads. Some of that money also goes to consultants to craft those messages or to raise even more money to deliver them.
So we’re offering a quick look at some key campaign finance metrics, including how much candidates are raising and spending. We’ll also update TV ad spending weekly. It’s one of the largest costs for campaigns and often an indicator of how broadly a message is being delivered.
Candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer file reports every two weeks from early September through Oct. 31. This table will be updated next on Oct. 18.
We also have data on state Senate and congressional races, plus spending on TV ads. Find them on our campaign finance race.
📫 Help us track mailers
All those political postcards clogging up your mailbox? Before you toss them, help Colorado Sun politics reporter Sandra Fish track political messaging during Colorado’s 2022 election season.
🗣 DEBATES
U.S.
SENATE
Colorado Sun, Colorado Public Radio and Healthier Colorado will host Sen. Michael Bennet, D, and businessman Joe O’Dea, R, to debate on mental health.
WATCH
8TH DISTRICT
9News will host state Sen. Yadira Caraveo, D, and state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R.
WATCH
GOVERNOR
The Colorado Sun and CBS4 will host gubernatorial candidates Gov. Jared Polis, D, and University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl, R.
WATCH
SECRETARY OF STATE
The Colorado Sun, University of Denver and CBS4 hosted Secretary of State Jena Griswold, D, and former country clerk Pam Anderson, R.
WATCH
CREDITS
Your Colorado 2022 Voter Guide is a team effort, made possible by the following:
Reporters: Jesse Paul, Sandra Fish
Producers: Danika Worthington, Kevin Jeffers
Correction: Due to an editor’s error, one of the key dates was wrong. Voters can no longer mail their ballots starting on Nov. 1.