After Colorado’s local elections last November, a Republican Party official, Ron Hanks, urged local board members to vote against certifying the results. Hanks, who leads the Colorado GOP’s election integrity unit, claimed there was systemic fraud without providing evidence. He called Colorado a “playground for election manipulators.
In response, Republicans on five local canvass boards voted against certifying the results. However, other board members outvoted them. Hanks, a former state lawmaker who lost a bid for Congress, stated that the upcoming 2024 elections would be crucial and framed these local elections as a practice run. He encouraged Republicans to reject what he called a corrupt voting process.
This trend in Colorado reflects a national pattern where local Republican officials vote against certifying elections. Many of these officials still question the results of the 2020 presidential election. Experts believe this strategy is being used to potentially challenge the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
Rick Hasen, a political science professor at UCLA, explained that this could be a tactic to delay election results or find a way to change outcomes in close races.
Colorado’s elections are certified by local canvass boards, which include members appointed by the Democratic and Republican parties, along with the county clerk. Although Democrats and county officials have consistently outvoted Republicans who opposed certification, there has been a steady push from some Republicans to reject election results.
Republican officials from several counties, including Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins, voted against certifying results for city council and school board seats. They raised concerns about election security and the reliability of voting machines, but these claims have been debunked by election watchdogs.
Some Republican canvass board members claim their votes against certification were based on their independent assessment, not prompted by the party. However, the reasons given often involve general concerns about election administration rather than specific evidence of fraud.
Colorado’s Democratic-led legislature has passed a law allowing the secretary of state to step in and certify an election if local boards refuse. The current secretary, Jenna Griswold, has been active in opposing efforts to undermine elections.
Nationwide, there have been multiple instances since 2020 where local officials delayed or voted against certifying election results. While these efforts rarely succeed in stopping certification, they could cause delays in finalizing election outcomes, potentially leading to legal challenges.
As the 2024 elections approach, concerns are growing about the impact of these actions on the election process. Some experts warn that officials who refuse to certify results could face legal consequences.