By Stephanie Wurtz
s.wurtz@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS - If you want to cast a ballot in the November election, Monday's your last chance to register.  You have until 5:00 p.m. Monday to register.  You must be an 18-year-old US citizen and have lived in your precinct for 30 days prior to the election. 

Take your valid Colorado ID to one of three Clerk and Recorders locations in El Paso County: 200 S. Cascade; SE Corner of Powers & Airport; North side of Chapel Hills Mall.  Or click here to register online.  If you did register and want to verify your information, call 575-VOTE or check online. 

Click here for the Teller County Clerk and Recorder's Office.  Click here for the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's Office.  Click here for the Fremont County Clerk and Recorder's Office. 

The first El Paso County votes have been cast in this election.  A group of eager voters got their ballots over the weekend, filled them out and showed up early at Centennial Hall Monday to turn them in.  "It's exciting, and I think we're part of history," says Mike Maday who cast his ballot Monday, "this election is going to make history and it's great to be one of the first people to cast a ballot." 

More than 120,000 mail-in ballots are already in the hands of El Paso County residents.  More people than ever are choosing to mail in.  "Every ballot will have at least 42 items," says El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Bob Balink, "it'll take a voter longer than ever to vote this ballot."

"With the initiatives on the ballot, it takes a lot of time, maybe 45 minutes, to vote your ballot," says Maday, "we wanted to get it done early, we wanted to hand it in early so we don't have to worry about that."  Now, the Clerk and Recorder's Office is busy processing the final voter registrations and the mail-in requests that will continue coming in until the end of the month.

  "We've been getting literally scores of applications via email and fax over the weekend.  If you are plan on heading to the polls November 4, there's a lot to consider beforehand.  There's a booklet on state initiatives, and a pamphlet on county issues, along with a sample ballot, one of the largest ballots many voters have had to cast. 

You may have received some of that information in the mail or you can pick it up at the Clerk and Recorder's Office.  You can request the office send you a mail in ballot until October 28 or you can pick up a mail in ballot from the office until October 31.  Early voting begins October 20.  Whether you mail in, vote early or go to the polls on Election Day, all ballots must be at the Clerk and Recorder's Office by 7:00 p.m. November 4.