Jefferson County’s election page lists Monday, Oct. 5, as the day local ballots are mailed and drop boxes open for the Nov. 3 General Election. If you have wondered what happens to a ballot after it leaves your hands, the county has a video for that: Episode 20 of its Engage Jeffco Podcast, titled ‘Beyond the Box: What Happens After You Drop Off Your Ballot.’
The county describes the episode as a look at how Jefferson County receives, verifies and counts ballots, how election safeguards work and how residents can take part. The guest is Sarah McAfee, chief communications and engagement officer with the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. The episode page does not list a publish date; its transcript refers to the June 30 primary and the Nov. 3 general election.
Video: ‘Beyond the box: What happens after you drop off your ballot? (Video),’ Jefferson County Colorado. Embedded from the county’s YouTube channel; Colorado Local has no connection to the creator.
Jefferson County dates and details for the Nov. 3 election
- Monday, Oct. 5: local ballots mailed and drop boxes open, according to the county’s key election dates.
- Drop boxes: the county says it will operate 40 ballot drop boxes, 38 of them available 24 hours a day and two during business hours. They stay open until 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
- Voting in person: 35 vote centers open in stages, with the first group opening Monday, Oct. 19. Listed hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2; Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Election Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 26: the county’s last day to mail your ballot back, and the last day to register to vote and still be mailed a ballot.
- See it yourself: free public tours of the Jeffco Election Center, 3500 Illinois Street, Suite 1100, Golden, CO 80401, run in the weeks before each election and last about an hour. Photos and video are not allowed. Specific 2026 tour dates were not listed on the tour page; sign-up is through the county’s tour page.
- Find a drop box or vote center: Jeffco’s voting site page.
- Questions: Jefferson County Elections, 303-271-8111, or the county elections page.
- Cost: Free to watch; the tours are free.
These are Jefferson County’s dates. Other counties set their own mailing day and locations, so check your own clerk if you live elsewhere. For the statewide picture, see Colorado’s key dates for the Nov. 3 election.
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