(1) (a) All ballots must be uniform and of sufficient
length and width to allow for the names of candidates, officers, ballot issues, and
ballot questions to be printed in clear, plain type, with a space between the
different columns on the ballot. On each ballot the endorsement Official ballot for
...................... must be printed, and after the word for follows the designation of the
precinct, if appropriate, and the political subdivision for which the ballot is
prepared, the date of the election, and a facsimile of the signature of the election
official. The ballot shall not contain any caption or other endorsement, except as
provided in this section. The election official shall use the same quality and tint of
paper, the same kind of type, and the same quality and tint of plain black ink for all
ballots prepared for one election.
(b) If the designated election official, in his or her discretion, elects to use
ballot stubs, each ballot may have either one or two stubs to be divided into two
spaces by two perforated or dotted lines. Each such space must be at least one inch
wide. The top portion is called the stub and the next portion is called the duplicate
stub. All ballots prepared under this paragraph (b) must be numbered
consecutively. The same number must be printed on both the stub and the duplicate
stub.
(1.5) Repealed.
(1.6) A ballot stub may be used, but is not required, for a ballot produced on
demand, so long as the quantity of ballots produced for the election can be
reconciled by the ballot processing method used by the voting system. Such ballots
may contain printed and distinguishing marks, so long as secrecy in voting is
protected.
(2) The ballots shall be printed so as to give to each eligible elector a clear
opportunity to designate his or her choice of candidates, joint candidates, ballot
issues, and ballot questions by a mark as instructed. On the ballot may be printed
words that will aid the elector, such as vote for not more than one.
(3) At the end of the list of candidates for each different office shall be one
or more blank spaces in which the elector may write the name of any eligible person
not printed on the ballot who has filed an affidavit of intent of write-in candidate
pursuant to section 1-4-1101. The number of spaces provided shall be the lesser of
the number of eligible electors who have properly filed an affidavit of intent of
write-in candidate pursuant to section 1-4-1101 or the number of persons to be
elected to the office. No such blank spaces shall be provided if no eligible elector
properly filed an affidavit of intent of write-in candidate.
(4) The names of the candidates for each office shall be arranged under the
designation of the office as provided in section 1-5-404. The designated election
official shall not print, in connection with any name, any title or degree designating
the business or profession of the candidate. Each candidate's name may include
one nickname, if the candidate regularly uses the nickname and the nickname does
not include any part of a political party name.
(4.5) If no candidate has been duly nominated and no person has properly
filed an affidavit of intent of write-in candidate for an office, the following text shall
appear under the designation of the office: There are no candidates for this
office..
(5) (a) Whenever the approval of a ballot issue or ballot question is submitted
to the vote of the people, the ballot issue or question shall be printed upon the
ballot following the lists of candidates. Except as otherwise provided in section 32-9-119.3 (2), C.R.S., referred amendments shall be printed first, followed by initiated
amendments, referred propositions, initiated propositions, county issues and
questions, municipal issues and questions, school district issues and questions,
ballot issues and questions for other political subdivisions which are in more than
one county, and then ballot issues and questions for other political subdivisions
which are wholly within a county.
(b) Beginning with the 2010 general election:
(I) Each proposed change to the state constitution, whether initiated by the
people or referred to the people by the general assembly, shall be identified on the
ballot as an amendment;
(II) Each proposed change to the Colorado Revised Statutes, whether
initiated by the people or referred to the people by the general assembly, shall be
identified on the ballot as a proposition; and
(III) A ballot issue or question containing both a proposed change to the state
constitution and a proposed change to the Colorado Revised Statutes shall be
identified on the ballot as an amendment.
(5.3) (a) Commencing with the general election held in November 2010, each
statewide measure initiated by the people that is a proposed change to the state
constitution shall be numbered consecutively in regular numerical order beginning
with the number sixty. Such consecutive numbering of measures shall continue at
any odd-year or general election held after such election at which any such
measure is on the ballot beginning with the number following the highest number
utilized in the previous election until the number ninety-nine is utilized at an
election for any such measure. Such measures shall again be numbered
consecutively in regular numerical order beginning with the number one and in
accordance with this paragraph (a) following the utilization of the number ninety-nine for any such measure. The secretary of state may promulgate rules as may be
necessary to administer this paragraph (a). Such rules shall be promulgated in
accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(b) Commencing with the general election held in November 2010, each
statewide measure initiated by the people that is a proposed change to the
Colorado Revised Statutes shall be numbered consecutively in regular numerical
order beginning with the number one hundred one. Such consecutive numbering of
measures shall continue at any odd-year or general election held after such
election at which any such measure is on the ballot beginning with the number
following the highest number utilized in the previous election until the number one
hundred ninety-nine is utilized at an election for any such measure. Such measures
shall again be numbered consecutively in regular numerical order beginning with
the number one hundred one and in accordance with this paragraph (b) following
the utilization of the number one hundred ninety-nine for any such measure. The
secretary of state may promulgate rules as may be necessary to administer this
paragraph (b). Such rules shall be promulgated in accordance with article 4 of title
24, C.R.S.
(5.4) (a) Commencing with the general election held in November 2010, each
statewide measure referred to the people by the general assembly that is a
proposed change to the state constitution shall be lettered consecutively in regular
alphabetical order beginning with the letter P. The consecutive lettering of such
statewide referred measures shall continue at any odd-year or general election
held after the election at which any statewide referred measure is on the ballot
beginning with the letter following the last letter utilized in the previous election
until the letter Z is utilized at an election for such a statewide referred measure.
Such statewide referred measures shall again be lettered consecutively in regular
alphabetical order beginning with the letter A and in accordance with this
paragraph (a) following the utilization of the letter Z for any such statewide
referred measure. The secretary of state may promulgate rules as may be
necessary to administer this paragraph (a). Any rules shall be promulgated in
accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(b) Commencing with the general election held in November 2010, each
statewide measure referred to the people by the general assembly that is a
proposed change to the Colorado Revised Statutes shall be double-lettered
consecutively in regular alphabetical order beginning with the letters AA. The
consecutive lettering of such statewide referred measures shall continue at any
odd-year or general election held after the election at which any statewide referred
measure is on the ballot beginning with the letters following the last letters utilized
in the previous election until the letters ZZ are utilized at an election for such a
statewide referred measure. Such statewide referred measures shall again be
lettered consecutively in regular alphabetical order beginning with the letters AA
and in accordance with this paragraph (b) following the utilization of the letters ZZ
for any such statewide referred measure. The secretary of state may promulgate
rules as may be necessary to administer this paragraph (b). Any rules shall be
promulgated in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(5.5) The coordinated election official may choose to follow the provisions of
subsection (5) of this section, or may choose to use separate ballots. If separate
ballots are used, the candidates shall be listed first, followed by measures to
increase taxes, measures to increase debt, citizen petitions, and referred measures.
(6) Whenever candidates are to be voted for only by the eligible electors of a
particular district, county, or other political subdivision, the names of those
candidates shall not be printed on any ballots other than those provided for use in
the district, county, or political subdivision in which those candidates are to be
voted on.
(7) No printing or distinguishing marks shall be on the ballot except as
specifically provided in this code, or in section 1-40-106 (3)(e) to (3)(g) and (3)(j).
(8) Repealed.
(9) If a referred measure, including but not limited to a measure referred by
the school board of a multicounty school district or the board of directors of a
multicounty special district to the registered electors of the school district or
special district, is referred to registered electors of multiple counties, the
alphabetical, numerical, or alphanumerical designation used to identify the
measure shall be identical on each ballot that includes the measure.