Colorado leaders are vocally opposing President Donald Trump's recent executive order aimed at regulating mail-in voting, calling it a violation of the state's constitutional authority over elections.
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coloradopolitics.comgazette.comThe executive order, signed Tuesday, seeks to establish a national voter-eligibility list and impose new restrictions on mail voting, which Colorado officials argue undermines their ability to conduct elections.
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gazette.comTrump's order comes amid ongoing criticism of mail-in voting, which he has described as "mail-in cheating." He has consistently raised doubts about the security of mail ballots, asserting that these measures are necessary to maintain election integrity.
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coloradopolitics.com"I think this will help a lot with elections," Trump said during the signing ceremony.
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gazette.comLocal officials are reacting strongly to the order.Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez characterized it as yet another attack on Americans' access to the ballot, but expressed confidence that it would not withstand legal scrutiny.
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gazette.com"Elections are governed by state law, not presidential decree," she stated, emphasizing that an executive order cannot override Colorado's constitutionally protected authority.
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gazette.comColorado Attorney General Phil Weiser echoed this sentiment, asserting that the Constitution clearly designates the authority for elections to the states."The White House, Justice Department, and other federal entities have no business running elections," Weiser said, noting that nearly all Colorado voters, regardless of party affiliation, utilize mail ballots.
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coloradopolitics.comUnder Trump's directive, the US Postal Service would be prohibited from sending absentee ballots to individuals not listed on the new eligibility list.
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gazette.comThis requirement, along with mandates for secure ballot envelopes with unique barcodes, has raised significant concerns among state officials regarding the potential for confusion and disenfranchisement.
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votebeat.orgSecretary of State Jena Griswold labeled the executive order as "undemocratic, unconstitutional, and dangerous," reflecting a broader apprehension among state leaders about federal overreach in election administration.
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gazette.comState Senator Katie Wallace, who is currently sponsoring legislation aimed at safeguarding voting rights in Colorado, pointed out that the state boasts one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation, largely due to its robust mail-in voting system.
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gazette.comWallace emphasized that 98% of Coloradans who participated in the 2025 election cast their votes by mail, including nearly 99% of Republican voters.
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gazette.comShe argued that Trump's executive order "just won't work" within Colorado's established election framework, which is designed to expand voting access and maintain integrity.
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gazette.comIn response to the executive order, Colorado is considering joining a multi-state lawsuit challenging its legality.
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votebeat.orgOfficials from Arizona and Oregon have already committed to legal action, with bipartisan support emerging for a collective response to Trump's order.
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votebeat.orgThe executive order has also raised alarms among civil rights organizations, which argue that such federal mandates threaten to undermine the decentralized nature of US elections and could lead to widespread confusion among voters.
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votebeat.orgAs discussions of litigation continue, Colorado's legislative body is working on House Bill 1113, which aims to enhance voting accessibility by requiring the state to mail ballots earlier and increasing the availability of ballot boxes on college campuses.
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gazette.comThis legislative effort underscores the state's commitment to protecting the democratic process against federal encroachment.
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gazette.comIn conclusion, Colorado leaders remain steadfast in their belief that election authority resides within the state, and they are prepared to challenge any attempts by the federal government to impose undue restrictions on their election systems.
