Voting and Elections 2012  

This guide is designed to provide practical and non-partisan information to Weld County voters for the 2012 election cycle.

The Weld County tab contains links to the ballot, a calendar of important dates, instructions on how to register to vote in English and Spanish, locations of polling places, information on early and mail-in voting and links to the major party headquarters in Weld County.

The Colorado tab contains the link to the Blue Book of ballot initiatives, information on state laws and regulations that govern campaign contirbutions, voting and lobbying, and links to information on voting and elections in other Colorado counties.

The Candidates & Parties tab provides information and links for learning more about the people and organizations involved in this year's elections. National, State, County and municipal candidates and parties are presented.

The Referenda/Ballot Issues tab includes information on those issues addressed in this year's election, with an emphasis on Greeley, Weld County, and Colorado. Non-partisan materials that assist in understanding the issues, including economic, social and political implications of each, are located on this page.

Election Data & Analysis provides an historical view of previous elections. This page is particularly useful for a scholarly understanding and research projects.

Books and films provide information and analysis from varying perspectives. Sometimes documenting what actually has occured, or fictionalizing the past, present or future. These two tabs list some key titles and provide access to additional information.

Important 2012 Dates in Weld County

For a quick guide to the process of becoming an informed voter, follow the steps outlined below.  More extensive or scholarly information is located on the tabs across the top of this site.

The deadline to register for the general election in November is Monday, October 9.

You can register here on campus at the University Center Information Desk Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

To be eligible to register, you must be a Colorado resident 30 days prior to the election and be at least 18 years of age on the date of the election, November 6, 2012.

If you have already registered, you may verify your voter registration information online at the Colorado Secretary of State's Election Center or the Weld County Clerk & Recorder's page.

Read the Colorado State Legislative Council's Analysis of the 2012 Ballot Proposals to find a clear statement of the pros and cons of the proposals.

The League of Women Voters of Colorado site provides non-partisan information. 

Project Vote Smart compiles biographical information, interest group ratings, and much more about the candidates.

Visit OpenSecrets.org sponsored by the Center for Responsive Politics, to research campaign finance.  Who has donated to a candidate?  Use the Donor Lookup database to find out.

Read the election news:

• CSPAN
• Denver Post
• Greeley Tribune
• National Public Radio (NPR)
• New York Times
• Politico.com
• Wall Street Journal
• Washington Post

The following web sites can help you identify political bias in the campaigns:

Cut through the campaign rhetoric at Annenberg Political Fact Check, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

PolitiFact is a joint project of the St. Petersburg Times and Congressional Quarterly. See its "Truth-O-Meter.

To keep it all in perspective, enjoy the humorous satire on these sites:

Comedy Central's Indecision 2012

The Onion's Politics section