Colorado coalition expands poll protections amid heightened voter intimidation fears
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Hundreds of volunteers are gearing up to stand outside Colorado polling places — not to challenge voters, but to ensure intimidation doesn't keep them from voting.
Why it matters: Election officials and voting rights advocates say anxiety about voting is running high ahead of the Nov. 3 election, driven mostly by President Trump's efforts to undermine the process.
Driving the news: Just Vote Colorado, which is affiliated with a national coalition of pro-democracy and liberal groups, says it has recruited about 800 volunteers to help at polling locations.
- Volunteer attorneys will also staff an election-protection hotline during the final two days, while the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado plans to deploy faith leaders to help calm tensions.
"People are on high alert," Jefferson County clerk and Democratic secretary of state candidate Amanda Gonzalez told us.
- "We've seen a lot of confusion around voting and what it will look like in this election. It's important for voters to know that nothing is changing."
The intrigue: Training for the coalition's volunteers — who will wear bright yellow shirts reading "nonpartisan poll monitor" and "here to help" — includes exercises on spotting ICE activity and defusing tense situations.
Threat level: At least one incident at a polling location has drawn authorities' attention this election cycle.
- In Salida, activists possibly affiliated with the Proud Boys shouted insults at protesters dropping off ballots during an Oct. 17 No Kings demonstration.
The Justice Department plans to send federal election monitors to Adams County, part of the battleground 8th Congressional District.
- Colorado officials have requested details about the monitors and where they plan to go before authorizing access.
What they're saying: "Fear really is the point," said Aly Belknap, executive director of Common Cause Colorado, a coalition member.
- "The [Trump] administration would like eligible voters to be scared out of participating."
The big picture: Secretary of State Jena Griswold says that Colorado's elections remain secure and voting is proceeding as usual.
- "Elections are running just like normal in Colorado," she told us.
- In recent years, the state has strengthened election security by banning guns within 100 feet of polling places, making it a felony to compromise voting equipment and providing millions to counties for security upgrades.
The bottom line: Gonzalez is urging voters not to wait: "Show up; show up early. Your voice is needed."