Grand Junction, Colorado Public Records

Colorado residents register to vote online through the Colorado Secretary of State's website at GoVoteColorado.gov, which allows new registration, updates to existing registration, and party affiliation changes. Registration deadlines fall 22 days before Election Day for online and mail registration, though the state offers same-day registration during the early voting period and on Election Day at voter service and polling centers. Eligible voters must be U.S. Citizens, Colorado residents for at least 22 days before the election, and at least 16 years old to pre-register (able to vote at 18). Acceptable ID includes a Colorado driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. As an incorporated home-rule city, Grand Junction holds municipal elections for mayor and city council members. The city has seven council seats—six district seats and one at-large—plus mayor, with staggered terms. Municipal elections typically occur in odd-numbered years on the first Tuesday of April, though dates can vary. The next municipal election will be held in April 2025 for certain council seats and possibly mayor. Municipal candidate information, local ballot measures, and campaign finance filings for city races are available through the Grand Junction City Clerk's Office at 250 North 5th Street (phone: 970-244-1503) and on the city website at gjcity.org. Residents find their assigned polling location—called Voter Service and Polling Centers in Colorado—through the Mesa County Elections website at clerk.mesacounty.us/elections or by calling the Elections Division. Colorado is a universal mail ballot state: all active registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot approximately 18-22 days before each election. Ballots can be returned by mail (postage-free), deposited in 24-hour secure drop boxes located throughout Mesa County, or brought to a voter service center. Drop box locations in the city include the Mesa County Administration Building at 544 Rood Avenue and multiple other sites listed on the Mesa County elections website. Voters can also vote in person during the early voting period (typically beginning 15 days before Election Day) or on Election Day at any voter service and polling center in Mesa County. Under Colorado law (§1-2-227), voter registration lists are public records available for purchase for political purposes, and the county provides lists with voter names, addresses, party affiliation, and voting history (whether someone voted, not how they voted). Campaign finance disclosures for local candidates are filed with the Mesa County Clerk or Colorado Secretary of State (depending on office) and are publicly searchable. Precinct-level election results are posted on the Mesa County elections website after each election, showing detailed vote tallies by contest and precinct. In the November 2024 general election, Mesa County had approximately 105,000 registered voters with turnout of approximately 72-75%, reflecting strong engagement in the presidential election. Colorado voters in November 2024 participated in federal races (President, U.S. House of Representatives), state legislative races, and various ballot measures. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide several major races: the gubernatorial race (Governor and Lieutenant Governor serve four-year terms, last elected in 2022, so next election is 2026), all Colorado House of Representatives seats (the state house, as all 65 seats are up every two years), approximately half of the Colorado State Senate seats (40 seats with staggered four-year terms), U.S. House of Representatives (Colorado's eight congressional districts, with the city in District 3), various state offices including Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General (depending on term schedules), Mesa County Commissioner seats, Mesa County Clerk and Recorder, Mesa County Assessor, Mesa County Sheriff, and potentially Mesa County Coroner and Surveyor. Regional water conservancy district boards and special district elections may also appear on the ballot. Note that the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Michael Bennet has a term expiring January 2029, so this seat will not be up in 2026. Absentee voting in Colorado is integrated into the mail ballot system—all registered voters receive mail ballots automatically, so separate absentee ballot requests are typically unnecessary. Military and overseas voters can register and request ballots through the Federal Voting Assistance Program, and the Mesa County Elections Division provides specialized assistance for UOCAVA voters (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act).