The latest election results for Chaffee County show a primary election flowing smoothly, with mailed ballots overwhelmingly the method of choice. This is the first Colorado primary that allows unaffiliated voters to vote in the primary. A total of 2,394 mail ballots have been returned to date, but only two voters actually voted in person.
Mailed ballots returned:
| Voter block | Number | Percentage |
| Democratic | 833 | 34.8 |
| Republican | 967 | 40.4 |
| Unaffiliated | 594 | 24.8 |
| Total: | 2,394 |
Chaffee County Clerk and Recorder Lori Mitchell said election judges are opening the unaffiliated ballot envelopes to note which ballot was returned. So far, 58 percent are Democratic ballots and 42 percent are Republican.
Ballot judges have, so far, rejected about 29 ballots; 25 of them for missing or discrepant signatures. While other counties have seen high levels of unaffiliated voters returning both Democrat and Republican ballots (thus invalidating their results), this has not been a problem in Chaffee County.
“Only four unaffiliated voters out of about 576 have returned two ballots, and we are happy about this,” said Mitchell. “The early postcard we created and delivered educated people.”
Chaffee County has a total of 12,670 active voters, which break out as follows:
| Voter category | Number | Percentage |
| Democratic | 3,417 | 24 |
| Republican | 4,428 | 22 |
| Unaffiliated | 4,825 | 12 |
| 12,670 | 100 |
The primary election voting process concludes at 7 p.m. June 26. Mitchell said that those missing a ballot or needing a replacement ballot should stop by the election office in Salida. Beginning Friday, June 22, voters can stop by the voting center that will open in Buena Vista. “We can’t mail out a ballot or replacement ballot now,” said Mitchell. “If voters need a ballot, (they should) come see us. Both offices will also be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.”
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