HB26-1203 • 2026

Modification of County Commissioner Elections

Currently, in a county with a population of 70,000 or more (covered county) , the board of county commissioners (board) may consist of 3 or 5 commissioners. If the board consists of 3 commissioners, t

Elections

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rep. J. Bacon, Rep. B. Marshall, Sen. A. Benavidez, Sen. L. Liston, Rep. C. Clifford, Rep. L. García, Rep. J. Jackson, Rep. J. Joseph, Rep. J. Mabrey, Rep. M. Martinez, Rep. K. Nguyen, Rep. M. Rutinel, Rep. L. Smith, Rep. E. Velasco, Rep. S. Woodrow, Sen. N. Hinrichsen, Rep. M. Lindsay, Rep. E. Sirota
Last action: 2026-03-19
Official status: Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on what happens if a covered county decides to keep 3 commissioners instead of increasing to 5.

Modification of County Commissioner Elections

This bill changes how counties with more than 70,000 people elect their county commissioners by requiring specific methods for elections.

What This Bill Does

Requires covered counties (those with a population of at least 70,000) to have either 3 or 5 commissioners.
If there are 3 commissioners, they must be elected by district only.
For 5 commissioners, the county can choose between two methods: all 5 commissioners elected by district or 3 by district and 2 at large using ranked voting.
Requires covered counties to hold a vote for electors to decide if they want to increase from 3 to 5 commissioners and which election method they prefer.

Who It Names or Affects

Counties with populations of 70,000 or more
County residents who vote in elections

Terms To Know

Covered county: A county with a population of at least 70,000 people.
Ranked voting method: A system where voters rank candidates in order of preference.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a county decides to keep 3 commissioners instead of increasing to 5.
It is unclear how the new requirements will affect voter turnout and election outcomes.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.007

HOU State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes how county commissioners are elected in counties with a population of at least 70,000 by requiring that three-member boards be increased to five members and specifying the election methods.

Requires counties with three-member boards to increase their membership to five members.
Specifies that elections for county commissioners must use either district-based or a combination of district-based and at-large voting methods.
Adds provisions for voter approval of increasing board size from three to five members.

The amendment text is extensive, and some parts are technical, making it hard to summarize all changes concisely.

L.009

HOU State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes the number of commissioners allowed in a county board from eight to five.

Changes the maximum number of commissioners on a county board from 8 to 5.

The original bill's context and full details are not provided, so it is unclear how this change fits into the overall structure of the bill.

L.010

HOU State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes the term 'ranked voting' to 'at-large and by-district combination' in a bill about county commissioner elections.

Replaces the phrase 'ranked voting' with 'at-large and by-district combination' at specific locations in the bill.

The amendment does not provide details on what an 'at-large and by-district combination' means or how it will be implemented.
It is unclear how this change affects the overall process of electing county commissioners.

L.011

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: The amendment removes specific details about the composition and election rules for county commissioner boards in counties with a population of 70,000 or more.

Removes lines from page 3 that describe how many commissioners can serve on the board in covered counties.
Eliminates lines from page 4 that outline the election procedures for these commissioners.

The exact new rules or details about commissioner elections are not provided, only what is being removed.

Bill History

2026-03-19 Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
2026-03-16 House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
2026-03-13 House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
2026-03-05 House
House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
2026-03-02 House
House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
2026-02-11 House
Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

Official Summary Text

Currently, in a county with a population of 70,000 or more
(covered county)
, the board of county commissioners (board) may consist of 3 or 5 commissioners. If the board consists of 3 commissioners, the county is divided into 3 districts, with one commissioner elected from each district by voters in the district or voters of the whole county. Alternatively, the board may consist of 5 commissioners, in which case the county may be divided into 3 or 5 districts, and the commissioners may be elected pursuant to numerous methods, including by district, at large, or by some combination of both methods.
The bill
eliminates

modifies
this
discretionary
system
and instead requires any county with a population of 70,000 or more (

so that if a
covered county
) to elect

has 3 commissioners, the commissioners must be elected by district only by voters resident in those districts. If a covered county has
5 commissioners
, the commissioners must be elected
by one of the following 2
alternative
methods
of election
:
5 commissioners resident in 5 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts
(by-district method)
; or

5

3 commissioners elected by district only by voters in those districts and 2
commissioners elected at large
using a ranked voting method

by voters of the whole county (combination method)
.

The board of a covered county that has 3 commissioners must refer a resolution to the electors of the county at the general election during each decennial census year to ask the electors whether they would like to increase the board to 5 commissioners and, if so, which of the two alternative methods of election they prefer for electing those 5 commissioners.
The board of a covered county
that has 5 commissioners
is required to adopt a resolution designating the 2 alternative methods of electing the 5 county commissioners no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting in the calendar year 2027
.

or its first regularly scheduled meeting in the month following becoming a covered county.
The board is required to refer the resolution to the electors of the county at the first general election following its adoption for those electors to select their preferred method of electing the 5 commissioners. A covered county
that has a board consisting of 5 commissioners and
that already elects its commissioners
according to one of the 2 alternative methods

using either the by-district method or the combination method
of election is not required to pass a resolution.
With a petition signed by at least 5% of the qualified electors of the county, the electors of a covered county that has a board consisting of 5 commissioners may also place on the ballot at a general election the question of whether to change the method of electing members of the board from one of the 2 alternative methods of election to the other.
A home rule county that elects more than half of its county commissioners by district
or using a ranked voting method
is exempt from the requirements of the bill.
The bill also makes conforming amendments.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0593.04 Rebecca Bayetti x4348 HOUSE BILL 26-1203
House Committees Senate Committees
State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE MODIFICATI ON OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER101
ELECTIONS.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
Currently, in a county with a population of 70,000 or more, the
board of county commissioners (board) may consist of 3 or 5
commissioners. If the board consists of 3 commissioners, the county is
divided into 3 districts, with one commissioner elected from each district
by voters in the district or voters of the whole county. Alternatively, the
board may consist of 5 commissioners, in which case the county may be
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 16, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 13, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Marshall and Bacon, Clifford, Garcia, Jackson, Joseph, Mabrey, Martinez, Nguyen,
Rutinel, Smith, Velasco, Woodrow, Lindsay, Sirota
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Benavidez and Liston, Hinrichsen
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
divided into 3 or 5 districts, and the commissioners may be elected
pursuant to numerous methods, including by district, at large, or by some
combination of both methods.
The bill eliminates this discretionary system and instead requires
any county with a population of 70,000 or more (covered county) to elect
5 commissioners by one of the following 2 methods:
! 5 commissioners resident in 5 districts elected only by
voters resident in those districts; or
! 5 commissioners elected at large using a ranked voting
method.
The board of a covered county is required to adopt a resolution
designating the 2 alternative methods of electing the 5 county
commissioners no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting in the
calendar year 2027 or its first regularly scheduled meeting in the month
following becoming a covered county. The board is required to refer the
resolution to the electors of the county at the first general election
following its adoption for those electors to select their preferred method
of electing the 5 commissioners. A covered county that already elects its
commissioners according to one of the 2 alternative methods of election
is not required to pass a resolution.
A home rule c ounty that elects more than half of its county
commissioners by district or using a ranked voting method is exempt
from the requirements of the bill.
The bill also makes conforming amendments.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-205, amend (3)2
as follows:3
1-4-205. County commissioners.4
(3) (a) In each county having a population of seventy thousand or5
more, the board of county commissioners may MUST consist either of6
three members, any two of whom shall constitute a quorum for the7
transaction of business, or of five members, any three of whom shall8
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; EXCEPT THAT THE9
REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSIST OF10
FIVE MEMBERS DOES NOT APPLY TO A HOME RULE COUNTY THAT ELECTS11
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MORE THAN HALF OF ITS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY A DISTRICT METHOD1
OF ELECTION, SUCH THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE RESIDENT IN2
DISTRICTS AND ARE ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS.3
(b) If the board consists of three commissioners, they shall MUST4
be elected as provided in subsection (2) of this section and as provided in5
section 30-10-306.7 (5), C.R.S. BY DISTRICT ONLY, IN WHICH THE THREE6
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESIDENT IN THREE DISTRICTS ARE ELECTED BY7
VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS.8
(c) In any county having a population of seventy thousand or9
more, the membership of the board of county commissioners may be10
increased from three to five members pursuant to section 30-10-306.5,11
C.R.S., or decreased from five to three members pursuant to section12
30-10-306.7 (2)(a)(II), C.R.S. SECTION 30-10-306.8.13
14
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-801, amend15
(2)(e) introductory portion, (2)(e)(II) introductory portion, (2)(e)(II)(B),16
and (2)(f) as follows:17
1-4-801. Designation of party candidates by petition.18
(2) The signature requirements for the petition are as follows:19
(e) Where the electors of the county have voted to increase WHEN20
A COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE21
INCREASES the membership of the board of county commissioners from22
three to five pursuant to section 30-10-306.5, C.R.S., or to decrease the23
membership of the board from five to three pursuant to section24
30-10-306.7, C.R.S., TO COMPLY WITH SECTIONS 1-4-205 (3) AND25
30-10-306.8, for the next two primary elections immediately following an26
election at which the voters have approved the change in the membership27
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of the board, the signature requirements for the petition are as follows:1
(II) Where any one or more commissioners to be elected to the2
board of county commissioners will be voted on only by the electors3
residing in a particular county commissioner district, the determination of4
the required number of signers must begin with a calculation of the5
average of all votes cast in each commissioner district in the county6
during the prior two contested or uncontested primary elections for the7
political party's candidates in the county commissioner districts that held8
a primary election in either of those elections. Upon a determination of9
the average, that number must then be divided by the total number of10
commissioner districts in the county where commissioners are voted on11
only by the electors residing in the district. whether three or five After12
completing this calculation, every petition must require signers equal in13
number to twenty percent of the number realized. If no primary election14
was held in either year, the calculation must be based on the most recent15
preceding general election for which the party had a candidate on the16
ballot, and every petition must require signers equal in number to the17
following calculation:18
(B) Divide the number found in sub-subparagraph (A) of this19
subparagraph (II) SUBSECTION (2)(e)(II)(A) OF THIS SECTION by the total20
number of commissioner districts in the county where commissioners are21
voted on only by the electors residing in the district. whether three or five22
(f) Following the first two primary elections that are conducted23
after a change in the membership of the board of county commissioners24
pursuant to section 30-10-306.5 or 30-10-306.7, C.R.S. SECTIONS 1-4-20525
(3) AND 30-10-306.8, in accordance with the requirements of paragraph26
(e) of this subsection (2) SUBSECTION (2)(e) OF THIS SECTION , the27
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signature requirements for a petition for a county commissioner candidate1
who is affiliated with a major political party must follow the procedures2
specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF3
THIS SECTION.4
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-802, amend (2)5
introductory portion, (2)(b)(II), and (2)(c); and repeal (3) as follows:6
1-4-802. Petitions for nominating minor political party and7
unaffiliated candidates for a partisan office.8
(2) Where the electors of the county have voted to increase WHEN9
A COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE10
INCREASES the membership of the board of county commissioners from11
three to five pursuant to section 30-10-306.5, C.R.S., or to decrease the12
membership of the board from five to three pursuant to section13
30-10-306.7, C.R.S., TO COMPLY WITH SECTIONS 1-4-205 (3) AND14
30-10-306.8, for the next two general elections immediately following an15
election at which the voters have approved a THE change in the16
membership of the board, the signature requirements for the petition to17
select candidates who do not wish to affiliate with a major political party18
are as follows:19
(b) Where any one or more commissioners to be elected to the20
board of county commissi oners will be voted on only by the electors21
residing in a particular county commissioner district, every petition must22
require signers equal in number to the lesser of either:23
(II) The number realized by first determining two percent of the24
average of all votes cast in each county commissioner district for which25
there was a race on the ballot during the most recent general election, and26
then dividing that number by the total number of commissioner districts27
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in the county where commissioners are voted on only by the electors1
residing in a district. whether three or five2
(c) Following the first two general elections that are conducted3
after a THE change in the membership of the board of county4
commissioners, pursuant to section 30-10-306.5 or 30-10-306.7, C.R.S.,5
the signature requirements for a petition for a county commissioner6
candidate who does not wish to affiliate with a major political party must7
follow the procedures specified in: subparagraph (VI) of paragraph (c) of8
subsection (1)9
(I) S UBSECTION (1)(c)(VI) of this section, IF THE COUNTY10
COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED BY DISTRICT ONLY AS DESCRIBED IN11
SECTION 30-10-306.8 (3); OR12
(II) S UBSECTION (1)(c)(VII) OF THIS SECTION , IF THE COUNTY13
COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED BY A COMBINATION OF AT -LARGE AND14
BY-DISTRICT VOTING METHODS AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 30-10-306.8 (4).15
(3) Following the first two general elections that are conducted16
after a change in the membership of the board of county commissioners17
pursuant to section 30-10-306.5 or 30-10-306.7, C.R.S., the signature18
requirements for a petition for a county commissioner candidate who does19
not wish to affiliate with a major political party must follow the20
procedures specified in subparagraph (VI) of paragraph (c) of subsection21
(1) of this section.22
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 30-10-306, amend23
(1) and (2) as follows:24
30-10-306. Commissioners' districts - vacancies - definitions.25
(1) Each county HAVING A POPULATION OF LESS THAN SEVENTY26
THOUSAND must be divided into three compact districts by the board of27
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county commissioners. Each district must be as nearly equal in population1
as possible based on the redistricting population data prepared by staff of2
the legislative council and office of legislative legal services, or any3
successor offices, in accordance with section 2-2-902. In no event shall4
there be more than five percent deviation between the most populous and5
the least populous district in each county, at the time such district6
boundaries are adopted. Each district must be numbered consecutively7
and must not be subject to alteration more often than once every two8
years. One county commissioner must be elected from each of such9
districts DISTRICT by the voters of the whole county. If any county10
commissioner, during his or her THEIR term of office, moves from the11
district in which he or she THEY resided when elected, his or her THE12
COMMISSIONER'S office thereupon becomes vacant. All proceedings by the13
board of county commissioners in formation of such districts not14
inconsistent with this section are confirmed and validated.15
(2) Each county having a population of seventy thousand or more16
that has chosen to increase the members of the board of county17
commissioners from three to five must be divided into three or five18
districts. by the board of county commissioners according to the method19
of election described in section 30-10-306.5 (5) or (6) or section20
30-10-306.7. When applicable, the board of county commissioners shall21
divide the county into districts in accordance with the final redistricting22
plan approved in accordance with section 30-10-306.4. The districts must23
be as nearly equal in population as possible based on the redistricting24
population data prepared by staff of the legislative council and office of25
legislative legal services, or any successor offices, in accordance with26
section 2-2-902. In no event shall there be more than five percent27
1203-7-
deviation between the most populous and the least populous district in1
each county, at the time such district boundaries are adopted. Each district2
must be numbered consecutively and is not subject to alteration more3
often than once every two years; except that, notwithstanding subsection4
(3) of this section, the board may alter the districts to conform to precinct5
boundaries that are changed in accordance with section 1-5-103 (1), based6
on the division of the state into congressional districts or an approved7
plan for redistricting of the members of the general assembly when8
necessary to ensure that no precinct is located in more than one district.9
County commissioners are elected at large or from districts according to10
the method of election described in section 30-10-306.5 (5) or (6) or11
section 30-10-306.7 SECTION 1-4-205 (3)(b) OR SECTION 30-10-306.8 (3)12
OR (4). If any county commissioner required to be resident in a district13
moves during his or her THEIR term of office from the district in which he14
or she THEY resided when elected, his or her THE COMMISSIONER'S office15
thereupon becomes vacant. All proceedings by the board of county16
commissioners in formation of such districts not inconsistent with this17
section are confirmed and validated.18
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 30-10-306.519
and 30-10-306.7.20
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 30-10-306.8 as21
follows:22
30-10-306.8. Methods of election for five county23
commissioners in a county with a population of seventy thousand or24
more - elections - redistricting.25
(1) I N ANY C OUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY26
THOUSAND OR MORE , THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY27
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COMMISSIONERS MAY BE INCREASED FROM THREE TO FIVE MEMBERS1
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1.5) OF THIS SECTION. IF THE BOARD CONSISTS2
OF FIVE MEMBERS, THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY3
COMMISSIONERS MUST BE ELECTED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:4
(a) BY DISTRICT ONLY, AS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS5
SECTION; OR6
(b) BY A COMBINATION OF AT -LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT VOTING7
METHODS, AS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4) OF THIS SECTION.8
(1.5) (a) I N ANY COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY9
THOUSAND OR MORE WHOSE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSISTS10
OF THREE MEMBERS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL11
ADOPT A RESOLUTION INCREASING ITS MEMBERSHIP TO FIVE MEMBERS AND12
DESIGNATING THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTING ITS FIVE13
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTIONS (3) AND (4) OF THIS14
SECTION. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL PASS THE15
RESOLUTION AT ITS FIRST REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING IN EACH16
DECENNIAL CENSUS YEAR.17
(b) T HE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL REFER THE18
RESOLUTION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (1.5)(a) OF THIS SECTION TO THE19
REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY AT THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION20
FOLLOWING ITS ADOPTION SO THAT THE VOTERS MAY CHOOSE WHETHER21
TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS22
TO FIVE MEMBERS AND, IF INCREASED, WHICH OF THE TWO ALTERNATIVE23
METHODS OF ELECTING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THE VOTERS PREFER.24
(c) IF A MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST ARE IN FAVOR OF THE REFERRED25
RESOLUTION DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1.5), THE BOARD OF COUNTY26
COMMISSIONERS SHALL TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THE INCREASED27
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NUMBER OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED AT THE NEXT GENERAL1
ELECTION ACCORDING TO THE METHOD OF ELECTION IN THE REFERRED2
RESOLUTION THAT RECEIVED THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VOTES CAST.3
(2) (a) (I) I N ANY COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY4
THOUSAND OR MORE WHOSE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSISTS5
OF FIVE MEMBERS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL ADOPT6
A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF7
ELECTING ITS FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTIONS8
(3) AND (4) OF THIS SECTION . THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS9
SHALL PASS THE RESOLUTION NO LATER THAN ITS FIRST REGULARLY10
SCHEDULED MEETING IN CALENDAR YEAR 2027. 11
(II) T HE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL REFER THE12
RESOLUTION REQUIRED BY THIS SUBSECTION (2)(a) TO THE REGISTERED13
ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY AT THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING14
ITS ADOPTION SO THAT THE VOTERS MAY CHOOSE WHICH OF THE TWO15
ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THEY16
PREFER. THEREAFTER, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL17
TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED AT18
THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION ACCORDING TO THE METHOD OF ELECTION19
IN THE REFERRED RESOLUTION THAT RECEIVED THE LARGEST NUMBER OF20
VOTES CAST.21
(b) A COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR22
MORE THAT ALREADY ELECTS ITS FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS23
ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTION SET24
FORTH IN SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION IS NOT REQUIRED TO25
PASS THE RESOLUTION OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF26
THIS SECTION.27
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(c) (I) A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY ADOPT A1
RESOLUTION CHANGING THE METHOD OF ELECTING THE MEMBERS OF THE2
BOARD FROM ONE ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF ELECTION PROVIDED IN3
SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION TO THE OTHER METHOD , AND4
SHALL REFER THE RESOLUTION TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE5
COUNTY AT THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING ITS ADOPTION. IF6
A MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST ARE IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION , THE7
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL TAKE SUCH ACTION AS IS8
NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED9
AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE FOR10
ELECTION CONTAINED IN THE RESOLUTION.11
(II) A LTERNATIVELY, A PETITION SIGNED BY AT LEAST FIVE12
PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF A COUNTY13
VOTING FOR ALL CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE AT14
THE LAST PRECEDING GENERAL ELECTION IS SUFFICIENT TO PLACE ON THE15
BALLOT AT A GENERAL ELECTION THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO CHANGE16
THE METHOD OF ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FROM ONE17
ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF ELECTION PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (3) OR (4)18
OF THIS SECTION TO THE OTHER METHOD. THE PETITION MUST SPECIFY THE19
CURRENT METHOD OF ELECTION AND THE PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE20
METHOD OF ELECTION. THE PETITION MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE COUNTY21
CLERK AND RECORDER PRIOR TO THE NINETIETH DAY BEFORE THE NEXT22
GENERAL ELECTION WITH A REQUEST THAT THE QUESTION BE PLACED ON23
THE BALLOT FOR REFERRAL TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY24
AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.25
(3) (a) FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESIDENT IN FIVE DISTRICTS26
MAY BE ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS, AS SPECIFIED27
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IN THIS SUBSECTION (3). EACH COUNTY COMMISSIONER SEAT TO WHICH A1
COMMISSIONER WAS ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THE DISTRICT2
PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (3) MUST BE FILLED BY THE DISTRICT3
METHOD OF ELECTION . IF ANY COUNTY COMMISSIONER , DURING THE4
COMMISSIONER'S TERM OF OFFICE, MOVES FROM THE DISTRICT IN WHICH5
THE COMMISSIONER RESIDED WHEN ELECTED, THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE6
BECOMES VACANT.7
(b) I F A COUNTY ADOPTS THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION8
PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (3) BUT IS NOT DIVIDED INTO FIVE COUNTY9
COMMISSIONER DISTRICTS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL10
CHANGE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COMMISSIONERS' DISTRICTS TO CREATE11
FIVE DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION12
30-10-306 (2) AND THE COUNTY'S FINAL REDISTRICTING PLAN APPROVED13
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 30-10-306.4.14
(c) (I) I F THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE VOTERS '15
SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION IS HELD IN 2028 OR ANY16
FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER, THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST17
BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS AT THAT GENERAL ELECTION AND TWO18
MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO TWO-YEAR TERMS19
UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT20
IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR -YEAR TERMS . THEREAFTER,21
THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED AT THE22
GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH OCCUR EACH FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRST23
GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD24
OF ELECTION , AND TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE25
ELECTED AT THE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH OCCURS TWO YEARS AFTER26
THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE27
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DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION AND EVERY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER.1
(II) I F THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE VOTERS '2
SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION IS HELD IN 2030 OR ANY3
FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST4
BE ELECTED TO FOUR -YEAR TERMS AT THAT GENERAL ELECTION AND5
THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO TWO-YEAR6
TERMS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH THREE MEMBERS7
RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR -YEAR TERMS .8
THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED AT9
THE GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH OCCUR EACH FOUR YEARS AFTER THE10
FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT11
METHOD OF ELECTION, AND THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST12
BE ELECTED AT THE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH OCCURS TWO YEARS AFTER13
THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE14
DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION AND EVERY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER.15
(III) BY MARCH 1 OF THE YEAR OF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION16
AFTER THE VOTERS ' SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION ,17
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL DESIGNATE THE DISTRICTS18
FROM WHICH A COMMISSIONER IS TO BE ELECTED TO AN INITIAL TWO-YEAR19
TERM DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (3)(c).20
(4) (a) THREE COMMISSIONERS RESIDENT IN THREE DISTRICTS AND21
ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS AND TWO22
COMMISSIONERS ELECTED AT LARGE.23
(b) (I) IF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE ADOPTION OF24
THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION SET25
FORTH IN THIS SUBSECTION (4) IS HELD IN 2028 OR ANY FOURTH YEAR26
THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE27
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MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS AT THAT1
ELECTION. ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER2
MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THAT ELECTION TO TWO -YEAR TERMS3
UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH THOSE TWO MEMBERS4
MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS BY THEIR RESPECTIVE ELECTION5
METHOD. THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT6
AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THE GENERAL7
ELECTIONS THAT OCCUR EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL8
ELECTION FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE COMBINATION METHOD OF9
ELECTION; AND TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED, ONE BY DISTRICT AND10
ONE AT LARGE , AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT OCCUR EVERY FOUR11
YEARS AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION THAT OCCURS TWO YEARS AFTER12
THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE13
AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION.14
(II) IF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE15
AT-LARGE AND BY -DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION SET16
FORTH IN THIS SUBSECTION (4) IS HELD IN 2030 OR ANY FOURTH YEAR17
THEREAFTER, ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE18
MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS AT THAT19
ELECTION. TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE20
MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THAT ELECTION TO TWO -YEAR21
TERMS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH THOSE THREE22
MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS BY THEIR RESPECTIVE23
ELECTION METHOD . THEREAFTER, ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED BY24
DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THE GENERAL25
ELECTIONS THAT OCCUR EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL26
ELECTION FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE COMBINATION METHOD OF27
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ELECTION; AND TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE1
MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT2
OCCUR EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION THAT OCCURS3
TWO YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE4
ADOPTION OF THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF5
ELECTION.6
(III) BY MARCH 1 OF THE YEAR OF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION7
AFTER THE VOTERS ' SELECTION OF THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT8
COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (4),9
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL DESIGNATE THE BY10
DISTRICT AND AT-LARGE POSITIONS FROM WHICH A COMMISSIONER IS TO11
BE ELECTED TO AN INITIAL TWO-YEAR TERM AS DESCRIBED IN THIS12
SUBSECTION (4)(b). 13
(5) ALL PROCEEDINGS BY A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN14
ELECTING FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH15
SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION ARE CONFIRMED AND VALIDATED.16
(6) SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING PETITIONS FOR A RACE17
INVOLVING A SEAT ON THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE AS18
SPECIFIED IN SECTION 1-4-801 FOR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY CANDIDATES19
AND SECTION 1-4-802 FOR CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT WISH TO AFFILIATE20
WITH A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY.21
(7) A HOME RULE COUNTY IS EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF22
THIS SECTION IF THE HOME RULE COUNTY ELECTS MORE THAN HALF OF ITS23
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY A DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION, SUCH THAT24
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS AND ARE25
ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS.26
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act27
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takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the1
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August2
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a3
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the4
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act5
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect6
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in7
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the8
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.9
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