El Paso County Election Updates: Marijuana Vote Tightens, Snyder-VanderWerf Race Narrowing

As snowflakes continued to drift across El Paso County, election workers pressed on, tallying ballots and waiting for the final results to settle. With roughly 350,000 ballots counted by Friday afternoon, voter turnout had reached 70%, and the county remained poised to hit a final turnout rate of 78% once all 390,000 ballots are accounted for. With so much still hanging in the balance, a number of local races are proving to be too close to call.

Marijuana Vote Tightens as Question 2D Nears Its Verdict

One of the most closely watched issues in Colorado Springs has been Question 2D, which asks voters whether recreational marijuana establishments should be banned by city charter. While the measure was initially passing by a wider margin earlier in the week, the vote has since tightened.

As of Friday, the measure is passing with 50.68% of the vote, a narrow lead over the 49.32% who oppose it. This is a shift from earlier this week when the margin was 52.4% to 47.6%. The tight race reflects the deep divisions within the city over the issue of legal marijuana, which has been a hot topic since Colorado’s legalization of recreational cannabis.

In contrast, a competing measure—Question 300—would authorize the sale of recreational marijuana, and it is currently passing by a wider margin of 54.17% to 45.83%. This measure gained ground since Wednesday, when it was leading at 53.6% to 46.4%. The contrasting fates of these two marijuana-related measures have sparked significant interest in the city’s future stance on cannabis regulation.

State Senate Race Tightens: Snyder and VanderWerf in a Nail-Biter

In another closely watched race, Democrat Marc Snyder is holding a narrow lead over Republican Stan VanderWerf in the race for State Senate District 12, which covers parts of western El Paso County. As of the latest count, Snyder has 49.59% of the vote, while VanderWerf has 47.17%. Libertarian candidate John Michael Angle has garnered 3.24%.

Though Snyder maintains the lead, it’s far from secure. The tight margin underscores the high stakes of the election, particularly as both candidates have been campaigning hard for the seat, which holds significant influence over local policies and funding for the area. With ballots still being counted, voters in District 12 are eagerly awaiting the final verdict on who will represent them in the state Senate.

District 16 House Race Just as Close: Vigil Holds Slim Lead Over Keltie

The race for State Representative in District 16 is equally intense, with Democrat Steph Vigil and Republican Rebecca Keltie locked in a battle for control of the seat. As of Friday, Vigil is leading by a razor-thin margin of 50.19% to Keltie’s 49.81%. The difference? Just 144 votes.

This race has been one of the closest in the county, with both candidates working tirelessly to win over voters. As the counting continues, every ballot is crucial in determining who will represent District 16 in the Colorado House of Representatives.

Tight Races in Palmer Lake and Monument: Flip and Potential Failures

Elsewhere in the county, the race for Palmer Lake mayor has seen a significant shift. Challenger Shana Ball had held a slight lead since Election Day, but incumbent Glant Havenar has managed to flip the race in his favor, now leading by 50 votes, or 51.37% to 48.63%. The results are still unofficial, and a final tally is expected soon, but the slim margin has left both sides anxious.

Meanwhile, Monument’s ballot measure to impose a 5% lodging tax is facing a tough uphill battle. As of Friday, the “no” vote is leading by a margin of about four points, making the measure unlikely to pass. This potential defeat highlights the community’s resistance to new taxes, especially as many residents feel that the imposition of such a tax could burden local businesses and visitors.

A Busy Week for El Paso County Election Workers

As workers at the Clerk and Recorder’s office continued to tally ballots, Kristi Ridlen, assistant clerk and recorder, confirmed that about 390,000 ballots had been returned so far, reflecting a strong turnout of 78%. In total, roughly 25 staff members and election judges have been working around the clock to ensure that the results are processed correctly, with plans to finish by Saturday afternoon.

Despite the weather and the long hours, El Paso County election officials are optimistic that all ballots will be counted in a timely manner, and final results for the many close races are expected soon.

What’s at Stake: A Crucial Election for El Paso County

As snow continues to fall and ballots are processed, the outcome of this election will have a significant impact on the future of El Paso County. From marijuana policy to local representation, these races and issues will shape the county’s political landscape for years to come. Voters, candidates, and election officials all eagerly await the final count to determine who will hold power—and how local policies will unfold.