Vacancy Elections & Special Conventions
What is a vacancy?
A vacancy in an elected office occurs when an office holder resigns or dies during their elected term. A vacancy may also occur when an elected official moves outside of the district they represent.
Vacancies in federal, state, and local elected offices in Colorado are filled in a variety of ways, including appointments, vacancy elections, and political party vacancy committees.
How does a vacancy election work?
Who can vote in a State House and Senate District vacancy election?
The members of the District’s Vacancy Committee, as established during the political party’s District reorganization meeting, are the voting members.
Who runs State House and Senate district vacancy elections?
Vacancies are run by the political party of the resigning member. The State and County Parties send out an Official Call (notice) to all vacancy committee members and invite them to participate and vote. These meetings can happen online or in person. For districts drawn in a single-county, the county party manages the election, and the Colorado Democratic Party manages vacancy elections for districts comprised of multiple counties.
What about other voters in the district?
Registered Democrats in the District and members of the press are welcome to attend any candidate forum and the vacancy election. Public comments are encouraged and will be shared with voting members, however voting is conducted only by vacancy committee members.
Congressional District 4 Special Convention
When: April 1, 5:30pm
Where : Zoom and broadcast on YouTube for the press and public.
Forum: There will be a candidate forum immediately prior to the vote. CDP welcomes recommendations for questions to ask of the candidates during the forum portion of the meeting by 5pm on March 31, 2024, HERE.
Press: To RSVP, please email CDP Executive Director Karin Asensio: karin@coloradodems.org
Candidates:
Karen Breslin
Tricia Calvarese
Ike McCorkle
John Padora
To run for the nomination: Candidates must submit a letter of intent to CD4 Chair Lisa Chollet (chair@cd4demsco.org) and CDP Chair Shad Murib (chair@coloradodems.org).
What are the qualifications to run for office in the House of Representatives?
The required qualifications are found in Article 1 of the Constitution:
25 years of age
A citizen of the United States for at least 7 years
At the time of election, be a resident of the state
FEC: Additionally, remember to timely file or update a Statement of Candidacy and designate a principal campaign committee pursuant to Federal Election Commission requirements. You can learn more here.
Rules for the Special Convention
Please find rules for the special convention, the process by which a Democratic nominee will be chosen, by clicking here: CD4 Special Convention Outline