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Aspen's Spring Election Could Cost Double

Elise Thatcher

This spring’s municipal election in Aspen could cost twice as much as previous ones. That’s in an effort to increase voter turnout. The majority of Aspen City Council earlier this year decided to hold an all mail-in ballot election. The theory is that more people will vote from the comfort of their homes, rather than going to a polling place.

The cost of this year’s ballots is around $10,000 — not including postage. Ballots for traditional elections have cost the city around $5,000. City Clerk Linda Manning says the mail-in ballots cost more because they contain more — like secrecy sleeves and return envelopes. She hopes the increased cost is worth it and the city will see a better turnout than the last election. Two years ago, only 35 percent of the electorate showed up at the polls.

“We are hoping that by going to an all mail-in ballot election that that will also increase turnout rate. Everybody’s going to get a ballot. Currently we have right around 6,100 registered voters and we are hoping that all of our registered voters will go to govotecolorado.com and check their registration information," she says.

She wants to avoid getting ballots returned because a resident moved and has outdated address information.

At the direction of council, Manning will bring a resolution forward on March 9 that allows a second voting center at the Shultz Health and Human Services building. The other center is the clerk’s office in city hall — if people choose to vote in person. Ballots will be mailed on April 13.

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