Buescher reveals additional voter safeguard

New rule requires additional voter outreach for returned mail

Denver, January 30, 2009 – Today Secretary of State Bernie Buescher announced the adoption of a new rule aimed at tracking down recently registered voters whose mail is returned as undeliverable.

For new voter registration applications, Colorado law states that new voter registration applicants whose notification cards are returned as undeliverable within 20 days of applying are not registered. The law addresses potential voter fraud by requiring confirmation of the applicant’s address. However, sometimes these cards are returned due to postal or other error. To protect against such errors, counties will send a forwardable mailing to these potential voters giving them an additional opportunity to correct or confirm their address and become registered.

“This rule provides a safety net for these specific voters by performing the outreach necessary to make certain that no Coloradan is disenfranchised in error,” said Buescher. “Additionally, the immediacy of this rule helps to safeguard any future potential voters who may be affected, while ensuring my department’s compliance with state law.”

Prior to last year’s General Election, out-of-state attorneys filed a lawsuit challenging, among other things, Colorado’s 20-day voter cancellation law, saying it violated the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Since that time, the county clerks have been unable to enforce state and federal laws aimed at maintaining accurate voter rolls.

“With this new policy, we’re moving forward responsibly by putting the needs of Colorado’s voters first,” said Buescher.

With municipal elections slated for April and May, the new rule takes affect immediately. Because it was adopted temporarily, the rule will undergo a thorough review and public hearing in early March.