Study: Colorado’s Election Law Changes Saving State Time, Money

<p>(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey/File/2014)</p>
<p>Voting in Thornton, Colo., in 2014.</p>
Photo: Voting, Voter Casting Ballot On Election Day 2014 In Thirnton (AP)
Voting in Thornton, Colo., in 2014.

Lawmakers made some big changes to how the state conducts elections in 2013. They required clerks to send ballots to all registered voters and switched from precinct voting location to county-wide collection points.

A study of cost data finds that the new system is cheaper in many respects. In many counties, the cost-per-vote dropped by about 40 percent from 2008 to 2014 to an average of $6.50.

Researchers also surveyed voters about their experience and found more than 90 percent said they were satisfied or very satisfied.

The election law is not free of controversy. Many Republican lawmakers opposed the measure, warning that the changes could make the system vulnerable to fraud.