PAWSD hasn’t had an election for some time. Three seats on the five-member board are up for election, including two incumbents. Ballots are in the mail and voting ends May 6.
Didn’t know that? You haven’t been reading the legal notices in the SUN.
Somewhat reluctantly PAWSD staff agreed to post the legal notice in larger type at the PAWSD.org website. Go Home > District Business > PAWSD Board of Directors and scroll to the BOTTOM of the page to this link.
Compare the PAWSD election notifications with the special election going on for LPEA. LPEA’s notice is designed to be helpful. The PAWSD legal notice is in legalese.
I’ve emailed PAWSD and asked for clarity, and been told the answers are “crystal clear.”
In case things are not crystal clear to you:
Like other Colorado elections, the PAWSD vote will be by mail. Unlike most elections, a private company instead of the county clerk will count the votes.
The company is Public Alliance LLC, 405 Urban Street, Suite 310, Lakewood, Co 80228, telephone number 720-213-662. There is nothing to be suspicious about because PAWSD doesn’t have the staff to conduct an election.
In Colorado we have the concept of Early Voting, in which voting stations are available for those who wish to vote in person instead of trusting delivery by USPS. Two times in the legal notice you are advised you may drop off your ballot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Lakewood office. You may do so until May 1.
PAWSD staff disputes my characterization of this process as Early Voting. There are no local drop boxes available until Election Day.
On Election Day, Tuesday, May 8, “an additional polling location shall be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 100 Lyn Ave, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, where electors may deposit mail ballots, request replacement ballots, and vote in person.”
If you would like a replacement or absentee ballot before election day you can contact Public Alliance before May 1.
Sample ballots, candidate profiles, historical election results, and whether you can check to see if your ballot has been counted are not available. Nor are instructions published on how to obtain a replacement or absentee ballot from May 1-7.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected I will do my best to ensure that the 2027 election is more transparently promoted.