CO SB055

Each member of a cooperative electric association is entitled to vote in director elections either at a meeting or by mail, but not both, and members who vote by mail cannot vote at the meeting.

Mail ballots must be placed in a secrecy sleeve or inner envelope to conceal markings, then deposited in a signed return envelope and mailed to the association or an independent third party contracted for ballot storage and counting.

Mail ballots received in a signed return envelope without a secrecy sleeve or inner envelope are still valid and must be counted.

Boards must arrange for an independent third party to oversee ballot storage and counting when practicable; if using a third party, ballots must be delivered to the association under seal after counting and made available for candidate inspection upon request.

The act takes effect August 10, 2016, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2016 general election and applies to board elections conducted on or after the effective date.