Douglas County posts unofficial primary results as counting continues

Douglas County posted its first unofficial primary results on June 30 while county clerks kept counting after the polls closed. The numbers were a snapshot and would change as more ballots were processed, signature-reviewed and uploaded.

Douglas County Elections posted unofficial results a minimum of three times on election night, with the first release after 7 p.m. and no later than 8 p.m., another around 9 p.m., and at least one more update later in the night. The county’s ballot-return dashboard refreshed about every four hours and was updated at least twice daily. Douglas County had 23 ballot drop-box locations and four voter service and polling center locations open for the June 30 primary.

In the District 1 commissioner primary, early unofficial returns showed Republican Jake Bockenfeld ahead of John Diak by 55% to 44%. Bockenfeld was set to face Democrat Irene Bonham in November for the seat being vacated by Commissioner Abe Laydon. The winners of the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian and Unity Party primaries will appear on the November ballot.

Secretary of State Jena Griswold certified the June 30 primary ballot on May 1, and the secretary’s office allows counties to begin processing ballots before Election Day and upload unofficial results after polls closed at 7 p.m. Unaffiliated voters could receive Democratic and Republican primary ballots, while Libertarian voters were excluded from unaffiliated participation in that party’s primary under state law.

The state will issue weekday ballot-return updates through Wednesday, July 8. As of June 22, 322,202 ballots had been returned statewide. In Douglas County, unofficial results showed 88,803 primary votes, 309 more than in the 2022 primary. Colorado counties must complete certification after election night, with full results due to the Secretary of State within 10 days and final certification due within 22 days.