Colorado Bill: Bipartisan Election Judges for Mail Ballot Signature Verification

Detected February 27th, 2026

Summary

Colorado's HB26-1080 proposes requiring county clerks to use bipartisan election judge teams for mail ballot signature verification, replacing the current single-judge system. The Secretary of State would adopt rules for this new procedure. The bill is currently under consideration in the 2026 Regular Session.

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What changed

Colorado House Bill HB26-1080, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, mandates that county clerks and recorders utilize a team of bipartisan election judges for the signature verification process of mail ballots. This represents a shift from the current practice where a single election judge conducts this review, or a signature verification device may be used. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to establish rules governing the procedure for this bipartisan team verification.

This proposed legislation will impact election administration within Colorado. County clerks and recorders will need to implement new procedures and potentially revise staffing plans to accommodate the bipartisan team requirement. The Secretary of State's office will be responsible for developing and promulgating the necessary rules. As the bill is currently under consideration and has an upcoming meeting scheduled, regulated entities and election officials should monitor its progress and prepare for potential changes in signature verification protocols.

What to do next

Monitor the progress of HB26-1080 through the Colorado legislative process.
Prepare to update mail ballot signature verification procedures if the bill is enacted.
Review forthcoming rules from the Secretary of State regarding bipartisan election judge teams.

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1080

County Mail Ballot Signature Verification Requirements

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Elections & Redistricting Local Government |
Concerning a requirement that a county clerk and recorder use a team of bipartisan election judges to verify signatures in a mail ballot election.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

Currently, in every mail ballot election coordinated with or conducted by a county clerk and recorder, a single election judge personally conducts the review of each mail ballot for purposes of signature verification, unless the county clerk and recorder allows the election judge to use a signature verification device. The bill requires the county clerk and recorder to use a team of bipartisan election judges, rather than a single election judge, to review mail ballots for purposes of signature verification. The bill requires the secretary of state to adopt rules concerning the procedure for using a team of bipartisan election judges for such signature verification.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Prime Sponsors

Representative

Chris Richardson
Representative

Amy Paschal

Committees

House

State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Upcoming Schedule

1 meeting

Fri

Feb 27

House General Orders - Second Reading of Bills

9:00 AM House Chamber

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/02/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/25/2026 | PA1 | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/19/2026 | FN1 | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1080, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 10-1. | Vote summary |
Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 02/23/2026 | L.001 | HOU State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs | Passed [*] | PDF |
* Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.

** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 02/26/2026 | House | House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 02/23/2026 | House | House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 02/02/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs |
Prime Sponsor

Rep. A. Paschal | Rep. C. Richardson

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor

(None)