Colorado Attorney General Issues Opinion on Voter Protection – Pagosa Daily Post News Events and Video for Pagosa Springs Colorado

By Laurent Pacheco

Attorney General Phil Weiser today issued a public notice to remind Coloradans of their right to vote without intimidation and to ensure that polling places remain secure as the 2024 election approaches.

The notice replaces a previous version issued in 2022 and reflects the enactment of new state legislation, Senate Bills 23-276 and 24-131.

The advisory highlights the importance of maintaining a secure and accessible voting process in Colorado and provides clear guidance on what constitutes voter intimidation. It also details penalties for violations, which include fines and imprisonment.

“Colorado’s democracy is built on the right of every eligible voter to vote safely and freely, without fear or intimidation,” Weiser said. “We will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the integrity of our elections, and those who seek to intimidate voters or disrupt voting centers will be held accountable. »

Highlights of the public notice:

• Voter intimidation is illegal: Under Colorado law, voter intimidation means threatening, harassing, or coercing voters into influencing their decision to vote or abstain from voting. This is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment of up to 364 days, or both.
• No harassment near polling places: aggressively campaigning or questioning voters about their citizenship, age, or how they intend to vote within 100 feet of a voting center or ballot box is illegal.
• Guns are banned: A new law passed by the Legislature this year now bans both concealed and open carry firearms (previous law prohibited open carry only) within 100 feet of polling places or drop boxes on daytime of the poll or during voting periods. Certain exceptions are provided for people on their private property, uniformed security officers and peace officers.
• Certified Poll Watchers Only: Poll watchers must be officially certified and may not interfere with or intimidate voters at any time.

For more information, please download the public notice here.

Anyone who witnesses or targets voter or election worker intimidation should contact their local law enforcement agency or county clerk and recorder for immediate assistance, or the Colorado Attorney General’s Office at ag@ coag.gov or at (720) 508-6000. .

In case of emergency, call 911.

Lawrence Pacheco is director of communications for the Attorney General’s Office.