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.

House District 19 Vacancy in Nomination Election

When: August 8, 6:30pm

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 August 5, 2024, HERE.

Press: To RSVP, please email CDP Executive Director Karin Asensio: karin@coloradodems.org

Candidates:

  • Richard Garcia

To run for the nomination: Candidates must submit a letter of intent to HD19 Chair Jeff Barton (jeffhd19weldcodems@gmail.com) and CDP Executive Director (karin@coloradodems.org).

What are the qualifications to run for Colorado State Representative?

  • 25 years of age

  • A citizen of the United States for at least 1 years

  • A resident of the district for at least 1 years

Read the SOS Candidate Information Manual here.

Questions: