Polls Are Opening — Here's What You Need to Know

Bear Peak, CO

Dear Restore the Balance Community,

Polls Are Opening!

Mesa County — Monday, October 19, 8:00 AM: the first Voter Service Polling Center (VSPC) opens at Mesa County Central Services (west entrance), 200 S Spruce Street, Grand Junction.

The promise of free and fair elections is central to our democracy. How Americans vote has evolved significantly over time, with Colorado playing a leading role.

For most of the 20th century, in-person voting meant going to your assigned neighborhood precinct on Election Day. Early and absentee voting expanded in the late 20th century, giving voters more options for when and where to vote. Colorado pioneered the modern Vote Center: Larimer County introduced the model in 2003, allowing voters to vote at any center rather than an assigned precinct, and Mesa County followed in 2005. In 2013, Colorado adopted today's statewide system: mail ballots, secure drop boxes, and in-person Voter Service and Polling Centers. In-person voting didn't disappear; what changed was the requirement to vote at one specific neighborhood polling place.

Mail-in and in-person voting continues until 7 PM on Election Day, November 3, 2026. The Clerk and Recorder's website posts ballot box and VSPC locations, including open dates and times. VSPCs can handle change of address, voter registration, and statewide voting (except local issues if your residence is outside Mesa County). You can choose to vote using the electronic tablet (never connected to the internet), with a paper ballot, or get a replacement mail-in ballot. ID is required to vote in person. Electioneering is restricted to beyond 100 feet of polling centers.

We strongly encourage you to use one of the drop boxes or vote in person. If mail is your only option, vote as early as you can and track your ballot here.

For our members outside Mesa County, find your local election office information here.

Cassidy Hutchinson Facing Possible Indictment

In June 2022, White House insider Cassidy Hutchinson publicly delivered testimony on the actions of President Donald Trump during the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the nation's capital. She was widely praised for her courage in providing a firsthand account of that day.

In May 2024, RTB had the honor of hosting Hutchinson as the keynote speaker of our Spring Gathering. Attendees were impressed by her intelligence and composure, and by the strength she demonstrated in speaking out despite significant personal and professional risk.

A supporter recently shared this news story, reporting that the DOJ is seeking an indictment of Hutchinson. Several RTB members and supporters have expressed concern about what this could mean for her, given her history of public criticism of the president.

We thought you might be interested: DOJ trying to indict former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who testified about Jan. 6 — CBS News.

RTB Featured on Daily Sentinel Podcast

Dave Murphy and Tim Sarmo recently joined the Daily Sentinel's "Daily Rewind" podcast to discuss RTB's work countering election disinformation. Give it a listen here.

Member Recommendations

A member shared this article on a U.S. bus tour of judges speaking directly to communities about the importance of the rule of law. One quote stood out: "On the ground, we reached several thousand people directly, meeting them where they already were to talk about why the rule of law matters to their own lives... Turnout exceeded even our best expectations, which told us there's real appetite for this conversation." Read it here.

From Tim Sarmo: "This column by Adam Kinzinger really rang true for me, both personally and as a founding member of RTB. I think many of us are feeling this way. Kinzinger's advice is that we keep telling the truth. I think we've tried." This is one commentator's opinion piece. Read it here.

More Resources to Help with the Ballot

• The Muckraker Ballot Initiative Guide, from Colorado Times Recorder, a left-leaning advocacy outlet; included here as one perspective, not a neutral resource

• The Bell Policy Center's Colorado Ballot Guide

• The Colorado League of Women Voters — Where the League Stands on Initiatives & Amendments, shared for information purposes only

Upcoming Events

October 19 (tonight) — Local LWV Meeting

• 7:00-8:30 PM (doors open 6:30 PM)

• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley, 536 Ouray Ave., Grand Junction.

• Open to all, featuring local ballot issues.

• Guest speakers include Dr. Brian Hill of District 51 discussing 4A (Mill Levy Override), and a speaker on 2B (Orchard Mesa Pool).

October 20 — A Conversation on Religious Extremism (via Zoom)

• 6:30 PM MT

• Daily Sentinel producer Gretchen Reist Henderson is hosting a free, independent public conversation with NYT best-selling author Andra Watkins on the influence of White Christian Nationalism on democratic institutions.

• Registration required. This event has no organizational sponsors, including RTB; registration asks only for your name and email to send the Zoom link, and your information won't be shared, sold, or added to any mailing list.

• Register here.

• Shared for informational purposes only; does not constitute an RTB endorsement of this event or its content.

October 23 — Forward March '26 Grand Junction Town Hall

• Matchett Park Community Recreation Center, Sycamore Room, 2836 Recreation Way, Grand Junction.

• 6:00 PM 

• Details and registration here.

• This event features declared candidates for office.

• Shared for informational purposes only; does not constitute an RTB endorsement of any candidate, political party, or campaign.

October 24 — Forward March: Canvassing Opportunity and Breakfast

• 9:00 AM start 

• Canvassing shifts available throughout the day.

• Details and registration here.

• This event features declared candidates for office.

• Shared for informational purposes only; does not constitute an RTB endorsement of any candidate, political party, or campaign.

October 29 — Rick Taggart and the State Medicaid Commission (Rescheduled)

• 6:00-7:30 PM 

• CMU University Center, Rm 213.

• Open community discussion where you can share your experiences with Colorado Medicaid, ask questions, and help inform the commission's recommendations.

• No registration required.

November 14 — Families and Politics

• 9:00 AM-12:00 PM 

• Presented by Braver Angels.

• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley, 536 Ouray Ave., Grand Junction.

• Good timing to help navigate political conversations before Thanksgiving.

• Register here.

On the Radar: Local Government Meetings

• Board of County Commissioners: Tuesdays @ 9 am

• Grand Junction City Council: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 5:30 pm

• Town of Palisade Board of Trustees Meeting: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6 pm

• Fruita City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7pm

• D51 School Board: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 5pm (public comments accepted on 3rd Tuesdays only)

• Mesa County Library Board: Last Thursdays @ 5:30 pm

• Public Health Board: 2nd Tuesday of the month @ 3 pm

Thank you to all who have submitted photos, podcasts, and video recommendations. We will publish a recommendation in each category every week. Please keep them coming!

Want to Contribute to Our Weekly Newsletter?

Our best recommendations come from you! Have you read a thought-provoking book? Listened to an insightful podcast? Found an article worth sharing? Captured a beautiful photo of Western Colorado? We want to feature your discoveries and perspectives in our Monday Update.

You can share resources, suggest topics you'd like RTB to address, or submit photos from around our community. All submissions can be anonymous or attributed to you; it's your choice.

Submit your recommendations here

Let's learn from each other and build a more informed community together.

We'll say it one more time: vote early.