Steve Schleiker is the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder.
In today’s environment, conversations about elections are happening at every level: local, state, and national. Topics such as the SAVE America Act, recent Supreme Court decisions, and federal actions related to mail-in voting and voter registration have raised important questions for voters.
Those conversations matter. But just as important is understanding what happens right here at home.
In El Paso County, our focus is clear: every eligible voter should have confidence that their vote is secure, their voice is heard, and their experience is safe, accessible, and free from intimidation.
The best way to build that confidence is through transparency.
How elections work – from ballot to count
Every ballot in El Paso County follows a carefully controlled and highly secure process. Long before ballots reach voters, they are designed and reviewed for legal accuracy. Once printed, each ballot is tracked through a strict chain-of-custody system to ensure accountability at every step.
Colorado’s all-mail ballot system provides voters with multiple options: returning ballots by mail, using secure drop boxes, or voting in person at a Voter Service and Polling Center.
When ballots are returned, one of the most important safeguards takes place: signature verification. Bipartisan teams of trained election judges compare the signature on the ballot envelope to the voter’s signature on file, ensuring that every ballot is reviewed by at least two sets of human eyes. If there is a discrepancy, the voter is notified and given the opportunity to correct it. No ballot is rejected without that opportunity.
Once verified, ballots are processed in secure, camera-monitored environments. Tabulation systems are tested before and after every election and are never connected to the internet, operating in what is known as an “air-gapped” environment, meaning they are physically isolated from any external networks to prevent unauthorized access. After the election, Colorado conducts a Risk-Limiting Audit, widely recognized as a rigorous post-election verification method, to confirm results reflect the will of the voters.
Transparency is built into the system. Observers from across the political spectrum can watch the process, and tools like BallotTrax allow voters to track their ballot every step of the way.
Investments in security, transparency, and access
Since 2023, our office has made significant investments to strengthen elections in El Paso County, focused on three core areas: accuracy, security, and voter confidence.
We implemented a Voter Registration Maintenance Program using trusted data sources to improve accuracy. This has resulted in a dramatic reduction in undeliverable ballots, ensuring that election materials reach the correct voters and that voter rolls remain up to date.
We partnered with a nationally recognized ballot printing vendor with advanced security protocols, high-capacity processing, and strict quality controls, ensuring ballots are produced accurately and securely, even during high-demand elections.
We enhanced transparency by installing live-streamed security cameras at all 44 of our ballot drop boxes, allowing both election officials and the public to observe collection in real time. These systems retain footage far beyond state requirements and are complemented by in-office monitors displaying live activity in ballot process and tabulation areas.
To improve efficiency and tracking, we deployed a new mail ballot processing system that automates sorting, scanning, and chain-of-custody tracking. This system provides real-time visibility into ballot processing while maintaining strict security protocols.
We also replaced outdated equipment with new tabulation machines, ballot-on demand printers, and voting center technology, enhancing reliability, security, and the voter experience. These systems meet current federal and state standards and are designed with strong safeguards against tampering or unauthorized access.
Additionally, we launched EPC VIP (Voter Information Portal), a comprehensive website offering real-time voter turnout, party registration, ballot drop box locations, public webcams, and historical election data. This tool gives voters direct access to information and strengthens transparency across the process.
One of our most significant transparency efforts is the Ballot Verifier tool, which allows citizens to review ballot images and voter records after an election. This initiative provides an additional layer of public accountability while protecting voter privacy.
Through federal HAVA grant funding, we have also enhanced physical security, including upgraded surveillance systems, secure access controls, backup power systems, and additional ballot drop boxes. We’ve expanded accessibility with tools like real-time translation devices, ensuring all voters can receive assistance regardless of language barriers.
These investments reflect a simple principle: voters should not have to take our word for it. They should be able to see, understand, and trust the process themselves.
Understanding national conversations
At the national level, proposals such as the SAVE America Act focus on issues like voter eligibility verification, voter roll maintenance, and identification requirements. These proposals are part of ongoing policy discussions and would require alignment with state laws if enacted.
Similarly, recent Executive Orders related to mail-in ballots and federal agency involvement in voter registration systems are being evaluated and, in some cases, challenged in court. These actions primarily direct federal agencies and do not immediately change how elections are conducted at the state or county level.
Recent Supreme Court decisions have also addressed aspects of election law, including ballot receipt deadlines and broader voting rights issues. In Colorado, ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day; this remains unchanged.
While these national discussions are important, elections in Colorado are governed primarily by state law. Our responsibility is to follow those laws and guidance from the Secretary of State’s Office to ensure consistency, legality, and fairness.
Safety and confidence for every voter
Just as important as security is safety.
Every voter has the right to cast a ballot free from intimidation, coercion, or interference. These protections are enforced under federal and state law. If any voter feels unsafe or uncomfortable at any point, there are clear steps to report concerns and receive assistance.
We take that responsibility seriously for voters, election workers, and our community.
A system built on balance
Colorado’s election system is often recognized nationally because it balances two critical priorities: access and security. Here in El Paso County, that balance is supported by bipartisan processes, secure technology, transparent operations, and continuous improvement. Most importantly, voters should feel confident, not concerned, when they participate in an election.
Your ballot is tracked, verified, protected, and counted. Your rights are protected by law. And your participation is essential to the strength of our democracy. Elections do not belong to one party or one perspective; they belong to the people. My role, and the role of our entire elections team, is to serve every voter with professionalism, accuracy, and integrity.
Your vote matters. Your voice matters. And your confidence in this process is something we work every day to earn.
Reference links in this piece were added by the editor.
