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Q1. What is the difference between a primary and a general election?

A1. The State of Colorado holds regularly scheduled state elections every two years; a state Primary Election in June and a General election in November. In presidential election years, the state also holds a presidential primary election in March.

The nominated candidates from each party's primary ballot will be placed on the November General Election ballot. The winner of the November General Election will hold office.

Q2. Who can vote in a Primary Election?

A2. During either the Presidential or June primary:

• Voters affiliated with a major party: may cast a ballot for candidates of the party they are affiliated with.
• Voters affiliated with a minor party: if there is a minor party contest those affiliated with that minor party may cast a ballot for those candidates.
• Unaffiliated voters: An unaffiliated voter may cast a ballot for any one political party. If an unaffiliated voter returns a ballot with more than one political party, the ballot will be rejected and none of the votes will be counted.

Q3. How old do I have to be in order to vote in a primary election?

A3. Every individual who is 18 years of age is eligible to vote in the primary election or presidential primary election.

Q4. Does Colorado hold a presidential Primary Election?

A4. Yes. Like other primary elections, affiliated voters will be eligible to vote for candidates in their party while unaffiliated voters will be eligible to vote for a candidate in any one party's election.

Q5. Do I still have to attend a party caucus meeting to vote in a presidential Primary Election?

A5. No. Voting in a presidential primary is similar to voting in a regular primary election. Like other elections, voters will receive a ballot in the mail. While each political party will still conduct caucus meetings, these meetings will not select presidential candidates.

Q6. Are parties required to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their primary election?

A6. Major parties are required to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in their primary election. Minor parties, on the other hand, may refuse to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in their primary.

Q7. I am an unaffiliated voter. Do I have to choose in advance which party's primary ballot to vote?

A7. No. You will receive both major party ballots in the mail and may choose which one to vote and return.

You can also appear in person at any Voter Service and Polling Center in your county and choose the party's ballot you want to vote.

Q8. Does voting in a party's primary as an unaffiliated voter mean that I am joining that party?

A8. No. An unaffiliated voter who votes in a party's primary will remain unaffiliated. However, the primary that you vote in will be a public record (but not how you voted).

Q9. I am an unaffiliated voter. Why did I get two ballots sent to me during a primary?

A9. All unaffiliated voters will receive the ballots of both major political parties during a primary election. This allows an unaffiliated voter to choose which party's primary they will vote in. Unaffiliated voters may only return one party's ballot. Returning two voted ballots will result in neither ballot counting.

Q10. How do I vote in a minor party's primary election if I am unaffiliated?

A10. You may contact your local County Clerk's office or visit any Voter Service and Polling Center in your county and request that minor party's ballot.

Keep in mind that the minor party you select may not hold an election or may not allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their election.

Q11. Where can I find information about caucus?

A11. Precinct caucuses are held no earlier than the first Tuesday in March and no later than the first Saturday after the first Tuesday in March in each even numbered year. The persons receiving the highest number of votes at the precinct caucus are the delegates to the county assembly from the precinct. Contact your political party for additional information relating to caucus and party rules.

For more questions about caucuses, see our caucus FAQs.

Q12. Can I participate in a party's caucus meeting if I am unaffiliated?

A12. No. To participate in a party caucus meeting you must join that party before the party's caucus. However, you are still eligible to vote in any participating party's primary election.

Q13. Besides caucus meetings, what other election activities are available only to members of a party?

A13. You must be a member of a political party to participate and vote in that party’s county assembly. Delegates to each party’s county assembly are elected at precinct caucuses. Delegates to higher district assemblies and the state convention are elected at each major party’s county assembly.

Also, you must be a member of a political party to sign a petition for a candidate of that party. You also cannot run for office with a party without first being a member of that party.

Q14. What political parties are recognized in Colorado?

A14. A list of the current Colorado political parties is available online.