Chief U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer ruled last month that unaffiliated voters in Colorado would be permitted to participate in the upcoming presidential primary election, despite the state GOP requesting that unaffiliated voters not participate.

After the state GOP asked for a preliminary injunction to bar unaffiliated voters in the state from voting in the primary, Brimmer ruled Feb. 2 that the GOP did not prove unaffiliated voters violated any constitutional rights, according to the Colorado Sun.

While the decision could be appealed, there is likely not enough time before the primaries.

After a 2023 survey, it was found that the majority of eligible, registered voters in Colorado are unaffiliated – 48% unaffiliated, 27% Democrat and 24% Republican.

On Feb. 27, The Journal received a report that the Montezuma County election website inaccurately reported that unaffiliated voters would not receive a ballot, saying, “If you do not belong to one of the participating political parties you will not receive a ballot for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary election.”

That error has since been corrected.

The all-mail ballots have been mailed to eligible and registered voters as of Feb. 12, and ballots can be dropped off at participating voting locations through Tuesday.

The Vote Service Polling Center is at the Montezuma County Annex 1, 107. N. Chestnut St. in Cortez. Annex hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There is also a 24-hour ballot drop box available at the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, at 140 W. Main St. Suite 1 in Cortez.

Ballots can also be dropped off at Dolores Town Hall, Mancos Town Hall, Cortez Town Hall, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Headquarters and Cox’s Store in Lewis. Ballots must be turned in Tuesday.

The Journal will publish election results online at www.the-journal.com.

For more information about the Presidential Primary election, visit montezumacounty.org/elections-office.