So I just retired on October 23rd, and I moved to Colorado on the 28th. I need a Colorado driver's license in order to register to vote. The DMV requires appointments for driver's licenses, and the soonest one I can get is middle of December. How do I either get a driver's license or register to vote without one?
*edit: Good news! I was able to walk in and get a Colorado driver's license. There's an apparent disconnect from the state DMV site and the individual offices. I was registered (incorrectly, as it turns out) there as well. I walked down to the voting area, and they informed me that I needed to be in the state for at least 22 days before I could cast a full ballot. I didn't have that, but I was still able to cast a provisional ballot just for the presidency. I can wait until another election to vote on marijuana laws, lol.
Contact the Secretary of State's office:
303-894-2200
Colorado constitution:
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-00.pdf
"Only a citizen of the United States who has attained the age of eighteen years, has resided in this state for such time as may be prescribed by law, and has been duly registered as a voter if required by law shall be qualified to vote at all elections."
https://dmv.colorado.gov/new-to-colorado
That last dmv site indicates the residency requirements are that you:
"Own or operate a business in Colorado OR"
"Are gainfully employed in Colorado OR"
"Reside in Colorado for 90 consecutive days"
And it sounds like if you're retired, you may strike out on all three counts? You may be in some sort of electoral limbo. I'd get in touch with the highest level person you can at CO, and if they can't grant you eligibility maybe try to vote at your previous state if you still have residence there under their laws?
I was in such limbo in 2016. Sucks.
I was in a similar situation in 2018 minus the military retirement. I was just moving. I just made sure to vote early in my state I was moving from before I left. I was legally still a resident until I got to my new state and signed my mortgage paperwork, regardless of whether I was a resident of a new state on election day or not.