Final recount results for Boulder County Question 1D are 29,966 votes in favor of the measure and 29,957 votes against the measure.

Representatives of the Boulder County canvass board certified the final results of the recount at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 20.

“The purpose of the recount is to ensure that every vote that should have been counted was included in the results,” said Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Hillary Hall. “We are confident that with the processes we have in place we have accomplished this goal.”

Five votes changed during the recount for a net difference of three votes. These five vote changes can be explained by the following:

• During the recount process two ‘yes’ votes were determined to be undervotes.
• Three other votes (two ‘yes’ votes and one ‘no’ vote) were deemed overvotes by the recount resolution teams due to a lack of  clarity of the voter’s intent. 
• Undervotes and overvotes cannot be counted.

Final results for the contest are available online at www.VoteBoulder.org.

The recount of Boulder County Question 1D will begin on Tuesday with a pretest of the scanning equipment. During this test, election officials will scan four batches of 150 ballots through each of the four scanners used during the election. The machine tally of votes will be compared with a manual tally of votes. If the tallies match, the recount will proceed by scanning all 63,275 ballots that include Boulder County Question 1D.

If there are any discrepancies in the pretest results that cannot be explained by voter error, the Elections Division will conduct a manual recount of all ballots cast that include Boulder County Question 1D.

·        1 p.m., Nov. 7: audit setup including selection of contests and ballots

·        Starting 9 a.m. each day, Nov. 9-13: conduct manual count 

Where:

·        Ballot Processing Center, Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office
1750 33^rd Street, Boulder

·        Contact Jessie Cornelius to attend: 303-413-7766 or email.

The audit is a post-election quality assurance procedure that ensures the accuracy of the machine tally of votes. Results of manually counting a statistical sample of ballots are compared to the machine tally of the same ballots. Discrepancies, if any, are investigated. The final audit report will be issued to the canvass board for verification prior to election certification.

Boulder County’s audit is unique because it includes auditing a wide selection of contests, groups of ballots, and equipment which are all selected at random. The audit is designed to focus audit resources on the contests with smaller margins of victory and less focus on contests with wide margins of victory. The Boulder County Elections Division worked with statisticians from Boulder County and across the United States to develop its enhanced audit process.

Members of the public can review the process and data used in the audit by visiting www.VoteBoulder.org. Members of the public are also invited to nominate additional contests and ballots to be included in the audit. If time allows, the audit will be extended to some of these nominations. Nominations must be submitted to Jessie Cornelius at jcornelius@bouldercounty.org by the close of business on Wednesday, Nov. 11 to be considered.

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The Elections Division completed tallying the preliminary results of 62,667 ballots for the Coordinated Election by 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Voter turnout for this election was 34 percent.

“We had a low turnout this year for two reasons. First, because there was no statewide issue,” said Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Hillary Hall. “Second, we had a record number of people register to vote in 2008 and many did not turn in a ballot this year. We need to find a way to encourage one-time voters to become lifetime voters. We want them to understand how all elections can impact their lives.”

The Elections Division is mailing letters to voters who need to verify their signature or provide a photocopy of their ID. Voters can visit www.VoteBoulder.org to ensure their signature or ID was accepted. The deadline for voters to provide signature verification or a photocopy of their ID is Thursday, Nov. 12.

“We are still evaluating whether any races will need to be recounted as there are still ballots that are awaiting signature and ID verification,” Hall said.

Election results must now undergo a preliminary audit process, Boulder County Canvass Board review, and final certification prior to the results becoming official.

Boulder County will conduct its state-of-the-art audit process beginning Saturday, Nov. 7. Individual ballot contests will be randomly selected for the audit.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the audit as well as nominate additional contests and ballots to be included in the audit. Visit www.VoteBoulder.org for complete details on the audit process and schedule.

On Monday, Nov. 16, the county canvass board will begin a thorough reconciliation of ballots. The primary function of the canvass is to ensure every voted ballot is accounted for throughout the entire ballot process.

The final election results will not be official until the appointed Boulder County canvass board certifies the results.

-BoulderCounty.org- 

The 20th Judicial District court and probation offices will also open at 9am.

Certain direct client services such as Motor Vehicle, Housing and Human Services, Public Health, Treasurer's Office, Assessor's Office, etc. will be delayed in opening one hour this morning. The Sheriff's patrols and other public safety functions are not affected by the delayed start.

Transportation and Facilities crews have been working throughout the night and morning hours to clear county roads and building parking lots in order to allow county residents and employees access to their places of business within Boulder County. 

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All members of the public and media who would like to learn about mail ballot elections in Boulder County are invited to attend the rescheduled open house. Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Hillary Hall will cover a range of topics during the event including:

• Ballot processing in Boulder County
• Boulder County’s state-of-the-art audit process
• Boulder County’s enhanced election processes
• Details about election night

When: Monday, Nov. 2, 4-6 p.m.

Where: Ballot Processing Center
 Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office
 1750 33rd St., Boulder

Members of the public and media who have questions about the event can contact Jessie Cornelius at 303-413-7766 or email jcornelius@bouldercounty.org. No RSVP is necessary to attend.

Voters can check their information at www.VoteBoulder.org to confirm their ballot was mailed, to verify their address, and to ensure their voted ballot is received and their signature is accepted by the Boulder County Elections Division.

Voters who lose or spoil their ballots can apply for a replacement ballot by calling 303-413-7740 or by e-mailing vote@voteboulder.org. Replacement ballots can be mailed if applied for by Tuesday, Oct. 27, or picked up at the following Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Offices:
•  Oct. 19-Nov. 3: 1750 33rd St., Boulder
•  Oct. 28-Nov. 3: 529 Coffman St., Longmont
Offices are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Voters have several options for returning their voted ballots to the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office.

Ballots can be dropped off at the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Offices: 1750 33rd St., Boulder; 529 Coffman St., Longmont; 722 Main St., Louisville:
•  Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
•  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Ballots can be dropped off at the Boulder County Courthouse: 1325 Pearl St., Boulder:
•  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Treasurer’s Office)
•  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 4:30-7 p.m. (Main Courthouse)

Ballots can be dropped off at a drive-by location: 1750 33rd St., Boulder; 529 Coffman St., Longmont; 824 Front St., Steinbaugh Pavilion, Louisville:
•  Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
•  Monday, Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
•  Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Voters returning their ballot by mail must affix $0.44 postage to their ballot’s return envelope. All mail ballots must be in the possession of the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Ballots that are postmarked but not received by this deadline will not be counted.

Accessible voting will also be available at the following Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Offices:
•  Oct. 12- Nov. 3: 1750 33rd St., Boulder
•  Oct. 28- Nov. 3: 529 Coffman St., Longmont
Accessible voting will be available during business hours: Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 3: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Representatives of the Testing Board and Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Hillary Hall signed paperwork confirming there were no issues identified with the equipment’s ability to correctly tabulate ballots or the optical scanners’ ability to properly read the ballots.

The testing has also confirmed that ballots are properly printed for the election and the equipment is accurately calibrated to process this year’s ballot.

This year, ballots for the Logic and Accuracy Test were folded and run through the United States Postal Service’s mail machine. This additional process closely simulates the actual election which will be conducted by mail-in ballot.

Each piece of equipment used during the Logic and Accuracy Test has been cleared of test votes and reset to zero, which will ensure the equipment is ready to count live ballots for Election Day.

The used test ballots will be sealed and sequestered and the testing records will be retained by the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder as part of the official election record.

The 2009 Coordinated Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3. There will be no polling place. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters from Oct. 13-16.

Beginning this year, the Logic and Accuracy Test will also be used to confirm that the optical scanning equipment settings are properly calibrated for this year’s ballot. This additional practice is part of Boulder County’s enhanced election processes and procedures.

Time/Date:     10 a.m. until completed, Thursday, September 24

Where:           Ballot Processing Center, Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 1750 33rd Street, Boulder

The testing is expected to take the entire day or until testing is complete. Representatives from the political parties, the public, and members of the press are all welcome to witness the testing.

Entities who have placed candidates, issues, and questions on the 2009 Coordinated Election ballot will serve as representatives for the Testing Board.

Upon completion of the testing, the Testing Board will sign paperwork detailing the tested devices, results, any problems identified during testing, and whether each device performed to a satisfactory level. The used test ballots will be sealed and sequestered and the testing records will be retained by the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder as part of the official record of the 2009 Coordinated Election.

The 2009 Coordinated Election will be conducted by mail-in ballot only. There will be no polling places. The Boulder County Elections Division will mail ballots to eligible voters from October 13-16.

The deadline to register to vote for the Coordinated Election is October 5. Boulder County residents can visit www.VoteBoulder.org to register to vote or to verify their voter registration status.

Boulder County scans paper ballots into images similar to a PDF to be counted. This specific driver file controls the ballot scanner and allows communication between the scanner and the ballot processing software. The incompatible version of the driver impacted the quality of the ballot images. This caused the need to visually inspect all ballot images during the 2008 General Election to ensure the accuracy of election results.

The Boulder County Elections Division has implemented several improved processes and procedures as a result of this discovery to ensure this error does not occur again during future elections. The new processes will also improve the efficiency of ballot processing and continue to ensure accurate election results.

The discovery further emphasizes the importance of Boulder County’s enhanced audit process, which ensures the accuracy of election results. The enhanced audit process would detect errors before the election is certified.

Vehicles with a model year of 1976 and newer that already display “Collector Vehicle” license plates will be allowed to maintain their plate status as long as the registration is renewed on time. If the registration expires on models 1976 and newer, the vehicles will be required to pass an emissions test and will be registered with standard license plates. Additionally, if a vehicle with a model year of 1976 and newer is sold to a new owner, it will no longer qualify for the “Collector Vehicle” license plate.

The Boulder County Motor Vehicle Division has sent letters to vehicle owners who could be immediately impacted by the new law. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed Senate Bill 09-003 into law on June 1, which changed the definition of collector vehicles.

If you have any questions, please contact the Motor Vehicle Division at 303-413-7710 or email motorvehicle@bouldercounty.org. 

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Vehicle registration fees will increase each year by the following amounts:

For any vehicle weighing 2,000 pounds or less, which includes motorcycles and small trailers:
• $22.50: July 2009 – June 2010
• $25.75: July 2010 – June 2011
• $29.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing between 2,001-5,000 pounds, which includes most cars, SUVs, and light trucks:
• $32.00: July 2009 – June 2010
• $36.50: July 2010 – June 2011
• $41.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing 5,001-10,000 pounds, which includes most large trucks and large SUVs:
• $39.50: July 2009 – June 2010
• $45.25: July 2010 – June 2011
• $51.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing 10,001-16,000 pounds, which includes most passenger buses:
• $51.50: July 2009 – June 2010
• $58.75: July 2010 – June 2011
• $66.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing more than 16,000 pounds, which includes most commercial trucks:
• $55.00: July 2009 – June 2010
• $63.00: July 2010 – June 2011
• $71.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

The new law already requires Colorado residents to pay an additional $25 each month they are late to register their vehicle. Late fees may not exceed $100. Permits are also subject to late fees.

The registration fees and late fee increases are mandated by the FASTER bill (Senate Bill 09-108), which Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law on Monday, March 2. For complete details on the bill, visit Senate Bill 09-108. All funds generated from the fees will be used to maintain Colorado roads and bridges.

If you have any questions, please contact the Motor Vehicle Division at 303.413.7710 or email motorvehicle@bouldercounty.org.

-END-

A new Colorado State law will increase Motor Vehicle late fees to $25 a month beginning June 1. Registration fees will also increase beginning July 1. Funds generated from the fees will be used to maintain Colorado roads and bridges.  

Colorado residents will now be required to pay an additional $25 for each month their vehicle’s registration is late. The late fees may not exceed $100.

“We would like Boulder County residents to be aware of these costs, especially the late fees imposed by the new State law,” said Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Hillary Hall. “I hope residents will be able to avoid some of these costs by renewing their registrations on time.”

Motor Vehicle registration fees will also increase over a three-year period beginning July 1, as part of the legislation’s road and bridge safety surcharges. All registration fee increases are based on a vehicle’s weight.

Vehicle registration fees will increase each year by the following amounts:

For any vehicle weighing 2,000 pounds or less, which includes motorcycles and small trailers:
• $22.50: July 2009 – June 2010
• $25.75: July 2010 – June 2011
• $29.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing between 2,001-5,000 pounds, which includes most cars, SUVs, and light trucks:
• $32.00: July 2009 – June 2010
• $36.50: July 2010 – June 2011
• $41.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing 5,001-10,000 pounds, which includes most large trucks and large SUVs:
• $39.50: July 2009 – June 2010
• $45.25: July 2010 – June 2011
• $51.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing 10,001-16,000 pounds, which includes most passenger buses:
• $51.50: July 2009 – June 2010
• $58.75: July 2010 – June 2011
• $66.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

For vehicles weighing more than 16,000 pounds, which includes most commercial trucks:
• $55.00: July 2009 – June 2010
• $63.00: July 2010 – June 2011
• $71.00: July 2011 and each year thereafter

The late fees and registration fee increases are mandated by the FASTER bill (Senate Bill 09-108), which Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law on Monday, March 2. For complete details on the bill, visit Senate Bill 09-108.

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(Boulder County, Colo.) - Boulder County residents can now calculate an estimate of their registration fees for newly purchased cars or light trucks on the Boulder County Motor Vehicle Web site. Boulder County’s new tool is one of the first of its kind in the State of Colorado.

“The calculator is intended to help members of the public budget for their registration fees,” said Boulder County Clerk & Recorder Hillary Hall. “Fees still need to be confirmed and paid by visiting our office but this will at least give an idea of the costs.”

“Motor Vehicle registration costs are calculated by several factors," said Hall. “As long as accurate data is provided online, the estimate should be very close to the registration fee.”

The Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office is encouraging residents to email their feedback on the calculator to motorvehicle@bouldercounty.org. Registrations can be renewed online by visiting www.bouldercounty.org/clerk.