What Happens After You Vote

Fall in Colorado ◡̈

Dear Restore the Balance Community,

Please, please, please take a look at the events section this week!! There are several events this week to help you fill in those ballots. Make sure you vote!

What Happens After You Vote

Restore the Balance was formed in the wake of a violent attempt to overturn the election results on January 6, 2021. Many thought that day would go down in history as an unsuccessful attack on our democracy, and that it could never happen again.  Five years on, as the midterms approach, most of our attention goes to casting the ballot. Yet, lately, a number of commentators and analysts have also been asking what happens after the polls close.

Two pieces are worth your time reading. In August, retired federal appeals court judge J. Michael Luttig, a lifelong conservative, published an essay warning about a possible scenario on January 3, when the new Congress is due to be seated. He argues that claims of fraud could be used to refuse to seat newly elected members. This week's resources include his essay (here), which he kindly gave us permission to share.

A September analysis from Chatham House, a London-based policy institute, takes a broader look. It describes concerns about the president's repeated statements that he might not accept a loss, efforts to change how Americans vote, and the possibility of disputed results and delayed certification. Read here. 

Both pieces are opinion and analysis; they are also well-sourced. They describe things that could happen, not things that have happened, and they reflect the authors' perspectives. We share them because the concerns are out there and our members deserve to see them firsthand. Fear that there will be interference in the elections is real.

For Mesa County residents, this subject touches a particular nerve. On October 6, Colorado Newsline reported that the former Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters met with President Trump to talk about federal involvement in the November midterm elections. Hardly comforting.

RTB's view does not change with the results. Whoever wins and whoever loses, the outcome should be settled through the legal process. As Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross told us at our recent event, that means accepting results, using the legal channels for challenges, and supporting a peaceful transfer of power.

Here's the hopeful part. We believe turnout is the best safeguard we have. High participation does not end every dispute. But a large, clear showing from voters of every stripe makes it much harder to claim an outcome is illegitimate.

Staying vigilant is simple:

• Vote early and return your ballot as soon as you can.

• Track your ballot with BallotTrax and confirm your registration at GoVoteColorado.gov.

• Get election information from your county clerk or the Secretary of State, not social media.

• Be patient. Counties verify and certify results through an official canvass, and Colorado conducts post-election audits. Careful counting takes time, and a slow count is not a sign of a problem.

• Think before you share. If a claim about the election sounds alarming, check it against an official source first.

• Ask questions and see the process for yourself (see the tours below).

See the Process for Yourself

Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross is hosting behind-the-scenes tours of the county's election process on October 26 and 27, 12:30 to 2:30 PM. Seats are limited. Reserve yours here. 

Recommendations 

Listen: Give a Little Love, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

Upcoming Events

October 14 — Fruita Candidate Meet-and-Greet: A Family-Friendly Social

• 5:30-8:00 PM

• Fruita Tavern, Restaurant & Tap House, 153 N Mulberry Street, Fruita, CO.

• Join Restore the Balance for a family-friendly evening of community and conversation with candidates running for office in your area.

• Bring your kids, bring your questions, and come meet the people asking for your vote this November.

Confirmed so far:

• Bobbie Gross, Mesa County Clerk and Recorder

• Dave Edwards, Candidate for Mesa County Treasurer

• Christina Schultz, Candidate for Mesa County Treasurer

• Ross Young, Candidate for Mesa County Sheriff

• Jason Bias, Candidate for House District 54

• Mallory Martin, Candidate for House District 54

• Rick Taggart, Candidate for House District 55

• Janice Rich, Colorado State Senator

All candidates on the Mesa County ballot have been invited, and we'll update this list as more are confirmed.

No tickets are needed, but seating is limited. Please RSVP by October 12 at 5:00 PM. RSVP here.

October 15 — Know Your Ballot

• 6:00-8:00 p.m.

• Fort Lewis College, Durango

• LWV La Plata and FLC students will help explain what's on your ballot.

• Full details and registration here. 

October 16 — LWV Mesa County Ballot Issues Discussion

• 12-2:00 p.m.

• Monument Room, Central Library, Grand Junction

• League of Women Voters of Colorado will present the issues and where the League stands on each of the measures.

• Light snacks will be provided.

• No registration required. 

This event is not endorsed or sponsored by Mesa County Libraries or RTB.

October 17 — No Kings: Vote Early.

• 12:00-3:00 p.m.

• The History Lowell School Building, 310 N. 7th St., Grand Junction

• A community day of early voting, local voter education, live music, speakers, and games.

• More information and registration here.

• Shared for information purposes only.

October 18 — Depolarizing Ourselves

• 12:00-1:30 PM 

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

• Part of Braver Angels' "Beyond Us vs. Them: Depolarizing Through Dialogue" series, a free civic dialogue workshop for practicing listening and honest disagreement across political differences.

• Register here.

October 23 — Save the Date: Forward Party Co-Founder Christine Todd Whitman - Candidate Forum in Grand Junction

• 6:00-800 p.m.

• Event updates and registration here.

• Sharing for information purposes; this does constitute an endorsement of any candidate.

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. 

We will continue to do our best to get you timely information on all relevant happenings, but please also check our website calendar 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.

Don't forget to vote in 2026: Ballots will be mailed on October 2. Vote Early.