Denver Sheriff Department Offers In-Custody Voting

Published on October 30, 2024

DENVER, CO – Individuals in Denver’s jails cast their ballots in person for the 2024 General Election in partnership with the Denver Sheriff Department (DSD), Office of the Denver Clerk & Recorder’s Elections Division, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (CCJRC) and League of Women Voters through the Confined Voting Program (CVP). Polling centers were planned for the Downtown Detention Center on Wednesday, Oct. 30 and the Denver County Jail on Oct. 31.  

The Confined Voting Program ensures that all eligible voters confined to the Downtown Detention Center or Denver County Jail who are in the pre-trial process or serving a misdemeanor sentence have access to register to vote and participate in the elections process. The Office of the Denver Clerk & Recorder’s Elections Division coordinates with the Denver Department of Safety and City Attorney’s Office to ensure accessibility for all eligible voters and has developed an innovative confined voting program that includes the addition of polling centers. This Denver model has been recognized as a best practice by the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ) and is now being rolled out in other Colorado counties. 

“When an individual is in jail, voting remains an important part of their life. Providing voter registration drives leading up to the election allows eligible people a means to exercise their civil right,” said Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins. “It is our responsibility as government officials to ensure that all confined eligible voters can participate in the election process.” 

Clerk Paul D. López said, “Voting is how we shape our future. Denver has been a leader in providing access to individuals who have historically been unable to freely exercise their right to participate in the democratic process. Democracy is one of our most powerful tools and it serves as a symbol of hope for people to exercise, regardless of their situation.”  

The Confined Voting Program ensures that all eligible voters confined to the Downtown Detention Center or Denver County Jail who are in the pre-trial process or serving a misdemeanor sentence have access to register to vote and participate in the elections process. The Office of the Denver Clerk & Recorder’s Elections Division coordinates with the Denver Department of Safety and City Attorney’s Office to ensure accessibility for all eligible voters and has developed an innovative confined voting program that includes the addition of polling centers. This Denver model has been recognized as a best practice by the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions (PLEJ) and is now being rolled out in other Colorado counties. 

The joint partnership also ensured those in Denver’s custody who were eligible, had ample time to register to vote. This is the ninth year of educating those in custody about their right to vote and allowing them to register. Individuals can also choose to vote through the mail-in ballot process. This program is supported by Mayor Mike Johnston, the Honorable Denver Clerk Paul D. López, and the Executive Director of Safety Armando Saldate. 

###