EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KOAA) — Colorado’s primary election is two weeks away and while the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s office is preparing, it’s also been working to combat election misinformation circulating online.
"I would probably say 50 percent of my day is answering emails or texts in regards to election disinformation, talking to folks, and I don't mind that," said Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker.
The Clerk and Recorder's office does more than run elections. It also handles motor vehicle registration, records public documents like marriage licenses, and supports the board of county commissioners.
While there are other responsibilities in his office, Still, Schleiker said combating election misinformation is a priority.
“I just don't want individuals not to participate in an election because they want to have a concern about the security of their ballot, security of them as a voter, or basically they don't believe in the system. And that absolutely is something that they don't need to worry about,” said Schleiker.
With it still being early in the election process, numbers from Tuesday showed about four percent of voters in El Paso County had turned in ballots.
In Colorado’s primary elections, unaffiliated voters receive both Democratic and Republican ballots, but they can only choose one party to vote in.
According to the Clerk's office, two unaffiliated voters had turned in both ballots in El Paso County, and their votes will not count.
"This is a big election," said Schleiker. "We're determining who's going on to the November to basically compete in that race of who's going be taking over as far as congressional, senate, and as far as statewide races for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and also all of our local races here as well. So it's pretty important.”
Primaries typically see lower turnout. Statewide in 2022, about 30% of voters returned ballots. In 2024, even fewer people voted statewide at 26%.
___
Parent raises concerns over use of Bible verses in middle school classroom
A parent of a student at Craver Middle School is raising concerns about the use of Bible verses in a seventh-grade class, alleging her daughter was required to complete assignments involving scripture for credit despite the family's religious objections.
_____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
