Colorado Will Elect New Secretary of State in November 2026
Voters will choose a successor to term-limited Secretary of State Jena Griswold this November.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Elections
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Colorado voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to select a new Secretary of State as current officeholder Jena Griswold reaches her term limit. The race features a crowded field of candidates representing multiple political parties.
Why it matters
The Secretary of State position is pivotal for overseeing election administration and integrity in Colorado, especially as the state continues to navigate public discourse surrounding voting procedures that intensified after 2020.
The ballot includes Democratic nominee Amanda Gonzalez and Republican nominee James Wiley, alongside candidates from the Libertarian, American Constitution, and Colorado Forward parties. James Wiley previously secured his nomination by running unopposed in the June 2026 primary.
The players
Jena Griswold
She is the current Colorado Secretary of State who is stepping down due to term limits.
Amanda Gonzalez
She is the Democratic nominee for the office of Secretary of State in Colorado.
James Wiley
He is the Republican nominee for the office of Secretary of State who ran unopposed in the primary.
The details
The upcoming election marks a transition for the state as Jena Griswold vacates the seat due to term limits. Candidates like Amanda Gonzalez, who hails from Jefferson County, and James Wiley are campaigning to manage the state's election systems and business filings.
Timeline
Election conspiracy narratives began to rise in 2020.
James Wiley ran unopposed in the primary during June 2026.
The Colorado Secretary of State election occurs in November 2026.
Political Context
The race follows the 2020 election cycle and highlights a shift in focus toward election integrity and administration. Opponents of current administrative policies often emphasize the need for transparency in the wake of controversies involving local officials like former clerk Tina Peters.
The incoming Secretary of State will directly manage the regulations affecting how residents cast their ballots and how local business entities file their paperwork. This change in leadership will shape the implementation of state election laws and voting access protocols for all Colorado citizens.
The takeaway
Voters should review the platforms of the five candidates to understand how each approach to election management might influence future voting accessibility. Staying informed on candidate positions helps ensure that the state's election administration aligns with constituent expectations for security and transparency.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's upcoming Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Public Radio.
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