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Focus Shifts To Voter Turnout On Recall Election Day

Colorado State Senate

A drawn-out fight is almost over for two Colorado lawmakers who are fighting to keep their jobs after voting for new firearms restrictions.

Senate President John Morse in Colorado Springs and Senator Angela Giron in Pueblo face recall elections Tuesday.

With time running out, Morse and Giron supporters are focused on getting voters to turn out at the polls.

"Getting people out to vote is still the most important thing," says Christy LeLait, campaign manager for A Whole Lot of People for John Morse. "So many people don’t know where to vote, how to vote; some people are still waiting for mail-in ballots. Everything about this election is completely different from anything anyone has dealt with before."

LeLait says the group has been out in force, handing out information and reminding El Paso County residents that – as in Pueblo County -- they must vote in person.

Voting centers will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The recalls have garnered national attention and plenty of outside money from groups on both sides of the gun debate.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has contributed $350,000 in support of the lawmakers. Recall backers have raised nearly half a million dollars, most of which has come from the National Rifle Association.

Meanwhile, Gov. John Hickenlooper is asking Colorado's attorney general to look into what he calls a political stunt by a Republican activist who switched his residency to Colorado Springs over the weekend so he could vote in the Morse recall election. 

Jon Caldara says he was trying to make a point that a new election law passed by Democrats and signed into law in May changed residency requirements. Hickenlooper responded in a statement, warning that attempts to disrupt the election could result in criminal prosecution. 

As the host of KUNC’s new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.
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