Today is election day in the US. That means that, all around the country, people are marking up their ballots, casting their votes, and using their voices to support their ideas of a promising political future.

This year’s general election is known as an “off-year” election, meaning that it is carried out during a non-presidential and non-midterm election year. And while voters won’t be selecting the next United States President today, there are a multitude of significant offices—and ballot measures—which they will have an opportunity to vote on.

Casting a Ballot In Broomfield

One community that will have the opportunity to partake in this election period, are the voters right here in Broomfield.

Ever since HB 13-1303 (also known as the Voter Access and Modernized Elections Act) was signed into Colorado law in 2013, every registered voter in the state has received their ballot via mail. This has given Colorado—and Broomfield—voters several options to cast their ballots in every election, with no exception for this year’s election period.

One method is for a voter to simply fill out their ballot and return it to a local USPS mailbox. However, as is noted on the City and County of Broomfield Voting FAQs page, ballots must be received by 7:00 PM on election day to be counted. Colorado does not honor postmarked ballots. In other words, even if someone mails their ballot before election day, it will not be counted unless it reaches the elections office by election day.

Broomfield made the recommendation that ballots be mailed, at the latest, by October 26 to reach the November 2 election day deadline. But even if someone missed that mail date, there are multiple alternatives for people to cast their ballots and participate in the voting process.

Voters have the opportunity to drop off their mail ballots to local drop box locations. Here in Broomfield, ballot drop boxes are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; so voters can drop off their ballots anytime, as long as they are in the drop box before 7:00 PM on election day.

There are seven drop box locations sprinkled throughout Broomfield, any of which can be utilized by voters. A complete list of these locations can be found here.

And, finally, if a Broomfield voter feels more comfortable in an in-person voting environment, they can head to the George DiCiero City and County Building where an in-person voting option is available. On election day, the polling center is open from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM. However, anyone who is in line by 7:00 PM can stay in line for as long as it takes for them to vote, even if time passes beyond that closing time.

And even if a person isn’t registered to vote before election day, Colorado offers same-day voter registration. Meaning that, for this year’s election, Colorado residents can both register to vote and cast their ballot on November 2. Broomfield residents can head to the previously-mentioned George DiCiero City and County Building to register on election day.

If you’re a resident of another Colorado county outside of Broomfield, you can visit this interactive map, click on your area of residence, and find out county-specific election information—though mail voting and same-day voter registration are available all across the state.

What is on the Broomfield Ballot?

This election period, Broomfield voters will have the opportunity to vote on many offices and ballot measures.

In selecting their preferred candidates, voters can pick their top choices for mayor, their ward’s councilmember, and school board officials.

As for other portions of this year’s ballot, there are several ballot measures which voters can choose to support or reject. Ballot measures include proposed changes to the state constitution as well as county voting practices. This year’s ballot measures detail issues like marijuana sales taxes, property taxes, and even a municipal ranked-choice voting system.

A sample ballot laying out the different elements of this year’s ballot can be found here.

Election Day on a National Scale

November 2 is significant beyond the boundaries of Broomfield, too; several races across the country are being watched closely this election day.

One of the more prominent races taking place is that for the governorship in Virginia between Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin and Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe. The most recent polling data has shown the race to be extremely close, and both parties are scrambling to gain the lead. Not only is the office of governor an influential one, but the dynamics of this race have the potential to reveal key party and voter trends going into next year’s midterms.

In addition, elections for school board officials, councilmembers, and even special elections for state house and senate seats are taking place around many states.

So whether you live in Broomfield or Richmond or Minneapolis or Helena, you have the chance to vote today, November 2, and make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you.