As voters begin receiving ballots in their mailboxes for the upcoming March 5 presidential primary election, The Gazette has compiled a list of important upcoming dates voters should watch for.

This list was compiled from the 2024 election calendar posted on the Colorado secretary of state’s website. It includes important dates for the presidential primary as well as some deadlines relevant to the Nov. 5 general election.

In primary elections, unaffiliated voters receive a ballot packet containing a Republican candidate ballot and a Democratic candidate ballot. However, unaffiliated voters may only vote and return one ballot, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker said this week.

He advised unaffiliated voters to destroy and discard the other ballot. If unaffiliated voters return both ballots voted, neither ballot will be counted.

Voters affiliated with a minor party in Colorado won’t receive a presidential primary ballot, Secretary of State Jena Griswold’s office said in a news release this week.

Feb. 16

• Last day to affiliate with the Republican Party or Democratic Party to vote in the March 9 party precinct caucuses.

• Last day to send out initial mail ballots for the March 5 presidential primary election.

Feb. 20

• First day to begin counting mail ballots received for the March 5 presidential primary election. No results will be disclosed until after 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Feb. 26

• Last day for an individual to submit a voter registration application and still receive a ballot in the mail for the March 5 presidential primary election. If the county clerk receives a voter registration application within the eight days before the presidential primary election, the clerk will process the application and inform the applicant they will not receive a mail ballot. To receive a ballot, the applicant must visit a Voter Service and Polling Center.

• The recommended last day an individual should return their ballot by mail for the March 5 presidential primary. Take care to affix proper postage when mailing your ballot.

Feb. 26-March 5

• The minimum number of required Voter Service and Polling Centers must be open for the March 5 presidential primary election.

Feb. 27

• First day the minimum number of required drop boxes must be open for the March 5 presidential primary.

March 5: Presidential Primary Election Day

• Last day an individual can register to vote or update their voter record to be able to vote in the March 5 presidential primary. To register to vote, update their voter record and to receive a ballot the applicant must visit a Voter Service and Polling Center.

• The county clerk must receive all ballots by 7 p.m.

March 5-9

• Republican Party and Democratic Party precinct caucus day.

March 13

• Last day for ballots cast by military and overseas electors to be received by the county clerk so they can be counted in the March 5 presidential primary election.

• Last day for an elector to cure a signature discrepancy or missing signature, or to provide missing identification for mail or provisional ballot to be counted in the March 5 presidential primary election, by 11:59 p.m.

March 14

• Last day for the county clerk to complete verification and counting of provisional ballots for the March 5 presidential primary election.

March 15

• The county must finish tabulating all in-person and accepted mail ballots cast by voters registered in the county for the presidential primary election.

• First day interested parties can request and file for a recount, at their own expense, for the March 5 presidential primary election. The county clerk must determine the cost of the recount within four days of receiving the recount request, but no later than 24 days following the election.

March 19

• Last day to file major party candidate petitions.

March 26-30

• Last dates for major parties to hold county assembly.

March 27

• Last day to complete the canvass and submit official abstract of votes cast for the March 5 presidential primary to the secretary of state.

• Last day for interested parties to request and file a recount, at their own expense, of the March 5 presidential primary election. The county clerk must determine the cost of the recount within four days of receiving the recount request, but no later than 24 days following the election.

March 29

• Last day for the secretary of state to order a complete statutory recount of the presidential primary election.

April 1

• Last day to file minor party candidate petitions.

April 5

• Last day to submit draft ballot issues to the Title Board, by 3 p.m., if the issue is to appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

• Last day to complete a statutory recount of any race in the presidential primary.

April 9

• Last day to complete a recount of the presidential primary election requested by an interested party.

April 13

• Last possible day for major parties to hold state assembly.

April 17

• Last day to hold a Title Board hearing for ballot issues that will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

For more information on how to register to vote and how to vote in El Paso and Teller counties, click here.

For more information about elections in El Paso County, visit epcvotes.com or contact the El Paso County Elections Department at 719-575-8683 or by email at elections@elpasoco.com.

For more information about elections in Teller County, contact the Teller County Elections Department at tellercounty.gov/Elections, 719-689-2951 or email elections@co.teller.co.us.