§ C.R.S. § 1-7-307Method of counting paper ballots

(1) The election judges shall first count
the number of ballots in the box. If the ballots are found to exceed the number of names entered
on each of the pollbooks, the election judges shall then examine the official endorsements. If, in
the unanimous opinion of the judges, any of the ballots in excess of the number on the pollbooks
are deemed not to bear the proper official endorsement, they shall be put into a separate pile and
Colorado Revised Statutes 2024
Page 258 of 561
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into a separate record, and a return of the votes in those ballots shall be made under the heading
"excess ballots". When the ballots and the pollbooks agree, the judges shall proceed to count the
votes.
(2) Each ballot shall be read and counted separately. Every name and all names of joint
candidates separately marked as voted for on the ballot shall be read and an entry made on each
of two accounting forms before any other ballot is counted. The entire number of ballots,
excepting "excess ballots", shall be read, counted, and placed on the accounting forms in like
manner. When all of the ballots, except "excess ballots", have been counted, the election judges
shall post the votes from the accounting forms.
(3) When all the votes have been read and counted, the ballots shall be returned to the
ballot box, the opening shall be carefully sealed, and the election judges shall place their initials
on the seal. The cover shall then be locked and the ballot box delivered to the designated election
official, as provided in section 1-7-701.
(4) All persons, except election judges and watchers, shall be excluded from the place
where the ballot counting is being held until the count has been completed.