Colorado Election Officials Push Back Against Unprecedented DOJ Records Request
Colorado election officials and county clerks are responding to what experts call an unprecedented demand from the U.S. Department of Justice to turn over comprehensive records related to the 2024 federal elections, raising concerns about federal overreach into state election management.
The sweeping request has sparked immediate reaction from Colorado's election leaders, who pride themselves on running some of the nation's most secure and transparent elections. According to documents obtained by NPR, the DOJ's demand encompasses all election-related records, a scope that local officials say is extraordinarily broad.
Impact on Colorado Counties
Matt Crane, executive director of the Colorado County Clerk's Association, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the request:
"I've been in elections here in Colorado for 25 years. I don't remember any request from the federal government this expansive coming in."
"I've been in elections here in Colorado for 25 years. I don't remember any request from the federal government this expansive coming in."
The request could affect all 64 Colorado counties and potentially include:
- Voter registration information
- Voter turnout data
- Voting system access logs
- Actual ballots from recent elections
State Leadership Response
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued a strong defense of Colorado's election integrity:
"Colorado runs the best elections in the nation and complies with all federal and local laws in doing so. I will always follow the law and protect our democracy, and won't be intimidated by this baseless inquiry."
"Colorado runs the best elections in the nation and complies with all federal and local laws in doing so. I will always follow the law and protect our democracy, and won't be intimidated by this baseless inquiry."
Local Election Officials Stand Firm
Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez emphasized her commitment to protecting voter information:
"Our voters trust us to protect their elections from interference, and whether that's from foreign actors, domestic threats, or an administration that thinks it's above the law, we need to be protecting voters."
"Our voters trust us to protect their elections from interference, and whether that's from foreign actors, domestic threats, or an administration that thinks it's above the law, we need to be protecting voters."
Implications for Colorado Voters
While the Secretary of State's office has provided some publicly available files to the DOJ, the majority of election records remain under county control. Colorado law requires election records to be maintained for 25 months, exceeding federal requirements by three months.
For Colorado voters, this situation underscores the tension between federal oversight and local election administration, with state officials working to balance transparency with the protection of voter privacy and election integrity.
The DOJ has declined to comment on the specific reasons behind the request, leaving Colorado election officials and voters wondering about the motivations and potential implications for future elections in the Centennial State.
This article contains AI-generated content and reflects opinion only. Readers are encouraged to verify all information independently before drawing conclusions or making decisions.
