Colorado reports smooth Election Day, but GOP candidate stokes fears

Colorado’s high election official reported no Election Day issues thus far, regardless of issues about potential efforts to disrupt the vote.

Driving the information: No main threats in opposition to the election or ballot employees have materialized thus far, in line with state and native election officers who spoke at a briefing Tuesday afternoon. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who’s touring with elevated safety due to threats geared toward her, mentioned Tuesday that “all the things is working actually easily immediately.”

The intrigue: On the eve of the election, Republican candidate for governor Heidi Ganahl once more outwardly questioned the integrity of elections and despatched Colorado county clerks a letter asking for them to permit members of the general public to hand-count ballots at no cost, slightly than require a request and price to assessment them.

• She additionally appeared on two podcasts affiliated with election deniers within the ultimate days of the marketing campaign, together with one hosted by Joe Oltmann, who has steered Democratic Gov. Jared Polis needs to be hanged.
• Ganahl promised in a single interview to kind an election integrity fee “proper off the bat” if elected, the Colorado Solar stories.

Flashback: Her newest look with Oltmann marked a shift. Earlier, her marketing campaign canceled an appearance at an event as a result of Oltmann was scheduled to talk.

Why it issues: Ganahl’s remarks alarmed election officers about potential violence on the polls from individuals fueled by misinformation. Earlier this 12 months, the FBI named Colorado one of many high eight states for threats in opposition to election employees, and officers are involved about nationwide and native efforts to impede voting.

• Ganahl mentioned in a earlier debate that she’d settle for the election outcomes if she loses, however now that reply seems in flux.

Zoom in: Stress stays excessive. Election deniers have infiltrated the ranks of ballot watchers throughout Colorado, as we reported earlier, and officers say misinformation continues to proliferate.

• On the election briefing with Griswold, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock famous that the gang gathered outdoors a cell ballot website downtown included extra safety officers than members of the media. The election threats are “a disgrace on America’s democracy,” the mayor mentioned.

Of notice: Griswold advised Axios Denver a small variety of ballot watchers have been dismissed by county clerks in latest days due to disturbances on the polls, however clarified that occurs “each election” and it is “not out of the peculiar.”

• “The clerks aren’t ready round to see what individuals’s motives are. If they don’t seem to be following the foundations, they’re being let go,” mentioned Michele Ames, a spokesperson for the Colorado County Clerks Affiliation.