In Colorado’s Mesa County, election officials are investigating a voter fraud scheme after at least a dozen ballots were stolen, fraudulently completed, and mailed into the election office. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office confirmed that the fraudulent ballots were identified through the state’s signature verification process, a critical security feature designed to detect any discrepancies by comparing signatures on ballots to official records.
The scheme came to light when several affected voters received notifications about signature discrepancies on ballots they never submitted. According to Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, the discovery demonstrates the effectiveness of Colorado’s election security measures. “Colorado’s elections are safe and secure,” Griswold stated, emphasizing that the attempted fraud was identified and is under active investigation. Griswold also noted that it appears multiple ballots may have been signed by the same individual, though it remains unclear whether one person is responsible for all fraudulent signatures.
The Mesa County District Attorney’s office is leading the investigation, working to identify the individual or individuals behind the scheme. In cases where ballots were stolen but intercepted before they could be processed, the voters have been notified, and new ballots have been issued. Colorado’s process for “ballot curing,” or addressing signature discrepancies, allows election officials to reach out to voters if their ballot signatures do not match those on file, adding an extra layer of security.
As an all-mail voting state, Colorado sends ballots to all registered voters, who can return them by mail, drop box, or at designated polling centers. The investigation into Mesa County’s voter fraud scheme underscores the strength of Colorado’s voter verification processes but also highlights the potential vulnerabilities associated with mail-in voting.
With thousands of ballots now under additional scrutiny in Mesa County, officials are working to ensure that every legitimate vote is accurately counted. The state’s commitment to safeguarding voter integrity remains strong, as Griswold’s office and local officials continue to monitor for irregularities.
