Make sure every vote counts in El Paso County

EL PASO COUNTY — One of the most important checks in the election process occurs at the local level with the judges of election.

“Speaking for myself, I believe deeply and strongly in our democracy and our democratic processes and the importance of free, fair and accurate elections,” El Paso County Elections Judge Douglas Sharpe said.

In 2024, he returned for another round of judge elections.

He joined the vote counting process back in 2018.

This was partly due to civic duty.

He also wanted to see the election process from the inside.

“It’s important to be able to see how it works, so you can speak with confidence, as I and my election judge colleagues have, about the integrity of what’s going on,” Sharpe said.

During the November 2024 election cycle, more than 800 judges of elections are employed by the El Paso County Clerk’s Office.

They are necessary only for ten full-time employees.

“Each trial involves an equal number of Republican, Democratic and non-affiliated judges, and they help each other out,” said El Paso County Clerk and Clerk Steve Schleiker.

The party partner requirements system is a check to ensure an accurate result.

Sharpe says there is no political expression, adding that the system is also proof that people from different parties get along.

“Each election judge works with a politically bipartisan partner. And that’s how you get to know each other. You work with each other. Start conversations about things that are everyday.”

Multi-party teams are on display for all to see during the election.

The color of the lanyard they wear indicates different political affiliations.

“You’ll see people wearing a red lanyard, a blue lanyard and a purple lanyard working together as a team. And the honesty of these people is extremely important,” Schleiker said.

Election judges are generally friendly, civic-minded members of the community who are serious about making sure every vote counts.

Sharpe said, “I think some of the most effective advocates for voters’ choices are the judges of election who work day in and day out throughout the election.”

Tens of thousands of ballots have already been processed and prepared for counting.

Election judges point to one mistake that is more common than others.

Voters leave their signature on the envelope and it must be there for their vote to be counted.

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