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Monday, Jan. 26, 2026

Are Colorado election audits run solely by Democrats?

Cassis Tingley, The Colorado Sun
no

The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office conducts bipartisan “risk-limiting” audits after every election. 

A sample of ballots from each county is randomly selected to be reviewed by an audit board composed of one Democrat and one Republican from that county, nominated by the local party chairs and appointed by the clerk. 

The board enters their interpretation of the sample results into the audit software, which compares their reading to those of the ballot-counting machines. They then issue their report, which is published on the Secretary of State website.

Discrepancies that could affect victory margins trigger a second round of audits. The state can conduct as many rounds as necessary, or order a full recount. 

Voting machines are also checked by a bipartisan testing board before every election to ensure their accuracy.

Colorado finalized the audit of the 2025 election Nov. 20. 

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