Colorado § 1-7-508 - Determination of improperly marked ballots.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-7-508 — Determination of improperly marked ballots., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 1-7-508. Determination of improperly marked ballots.
(1) If any ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the electronic vote-counting equipment, a true duplicate copy shall be made of the damaged ballot by a bipartisan team of election judges. The duplicate ballot shall be substituted for the damaged ballot. Every duplicate ballot shall be clearly labeled as such and shall bear a serial number which shall be recorded on the damaged ballot.
(2) Votes cast for an office to be filled or a ballot question or ballot issue to be decided shall not be counted if a voter marks more names than there are persons to be elected to an office or if for any reason it is impossible to determine the elector's choice of candidate or vote concerning the ballot question or ballot issue; except that an elector's rankings of multiple candidates in an election using instant runoff voting shall be recorded and counted in accordance with section 1-7-1003 and rules promulgated by the secretary of state. A defective or an incomplete mark on any ballot in a proper place shall be counted if no other mark is on the ballot indicating an intention to vote for some other candidate or ballot question or ballot issue.
(3) No ballot shall be counted unless it has the official endorsement required by section 1-5-407 (1).
(4) Ballots not counted because of the election judges' inability to determine the elector's intent for all candidates and ballot issues shall be marked "defective" on the back, banded together, separated from the other ballots, and preserved by the designated election official pursuant to section 1-7-801.
Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 749, § 9, effective January 1, 1993. L. 2004: (2) amended, pp. 1359, 1213, §§ 22, 108, effective January 1, 2006. L. 2012: (3) amended, (HB 12-1292), ch. 181, p. 686, § 30, effective May 17. L. 2021: (2) amended, (HB 21-1071), ch. 367, p. 2421, § 12, effective July 1, 2022. L. 2023: (1) amended, (SB 23-276), ch. 399, p. 2385, § 30, effective June 6.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 2004 act amending subsection (2), see section 1 of chapter 334, Session Laws of Colorado 2004.
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 1-7-508
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-7-508 cover?
Section 1-7-508 ("Determination of improperly marked ballots.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 1-7-508?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-7-508" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 1-7-508 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
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