EL PASO COUNTY — One of the most important checks in the election process occurs at the local level with election judges.

“Speaking for myself, I believe deeply and strongly in our democracy and our democratic processes and the importance of having free, fair and accurate elections,” El Paso County Election Judge Douglas Sharp said.

He returned in 2024 for another election cycle as a judge.

He has been involved in the vote counting process since 2018.

It was partly out of civic duty.

He also wanted an inside view of the electoral process.

“It’s important to be able to see how this works so you can speak with confidence, as I and my fellow election judges have, about the integrity of what’s going on,” Sharp said.

For the November 2024 election cycle, there are more than 800 election judges on board with the El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office.

They are essential for the full-time staff of just ten.

“Each trial has an equal number of Republican, Democratic and unaffiliated judges, and they assist each other,” said El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker.

The partisan partner request system is a check to ensure a fair result.

Sharp says that voicing political opinions doesn’t happen, adding that the system is also proof that people from different parties get along.

“Each election judge works with a partner, politically bipartisan. And so, you get to know each other. Work with each other. Start having conversations about things that are everyday.”

Multiparty teams are on display for anyone to see during elections.

The color of the lanyard he wears denotes different political affiliations.

“You will see individuals wearing a red cord, a blue cord and a purple cord, working together as a team. And the integrity of these individuals is top notch,” Schleiker said.

Election judges are usually friendly, civic-minded community members who are serious about making sure every vote is counted.

Sharp said, “I think some of the most effective advocates for voter choices are the election judges who work day in and day out throughout the entire election.”

Tens of thousands of ballots have already been processed and prepared for counting.

Election judges point to one error that is more common than others.

Voters leave their signature on the envelope and must be there for their vote to be counted.

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