Vacancy Elections
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.