Resident urges Arapahoe County to adopt hand-counted, fully visible election procedures

Karen Tallentire addressed the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners during public comment on July 8 and urged the county to adopt a fully transparent election system she said should include paper ballots hand-counted at the precinct level and visible, double-checked procedures for voter registration and counting.

"We need a legal transparent system in our 2025 elections," Tallentire said, adding that a Colorado system used in party and county elections could be adapted to countywide use. She said her proposal would use hand-counted paper ballots, in-person verification, and public observers to build trust.

Tallentire also asserted that the county's current system is legally invalid "at the constitutional level" and suggested that county election officials work with independent transparency advocates and people from both sides of political debates to observe processes. She framed the change as a way to restore public trust and reduce costs, and invited county staff to contact her and others who have raised similar concerns.

The Board did not respond during public comment. Tallentire's remarks were recorded for the meeting record and flagged for follow-up.