Vacancy Elections
A vacancy in an elected office occurs when an office holder resigns or passes away during their elected term. A vacancy may also occur when an elected official moves outside of the district they represent.
Vacancies in federal, state, and local elected offices in Colorado are filled in a variety of ways, including appointments, vacancy elections, and political party vacancy committees.
What is a vacancy?
Who can vote in a State House and Senate District vacancy election?
The members of the District’s Vacancy Committee, as established during the political party’s District reorganization meeting, are the voting members.
Who runs State House and Senate district vacancy elections?
Vacancies are run by the political party of the resigning member. The State and County Parties send out an Official Call (notice) to all vacancy committee members and invite them to participate and vote.
These meetings can happen online or in person. For districts drawn in a single-county, the county party manages the election, and the Colorado Democratic Party manages vacancy elections for districts comprised of multiple counties.
What about other voters in the district?
Registered Democrats in the District and members of the press are welcome to attend any candidate forum and the vacancy election. Public comments are encouraged and will be shared with voting members, however voting is conducted only by vacancy committee members.
How does a vacancy election work?
On February 26, 2026, the Senate District 21 Vacancy Committee, with 38 members present, selected former State Representative Adrienne Benavidez to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of State Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet. State Senator-Elect Benavidez earned 52% of the vote.
Senate District 21 Vacancy
With 98% of the vote, the Senate District 25 Vacancy Committee on December 23, 2025 selected Rep. William Lindstedt to fill the vacancy created by the passing of State Senator Faith Winter. Read the full release here.
Read Sen. Winter’s obituary and share any memories you have with her family here and consider supporting costs for her funeral, celebration of life and her children’s college savings accounts here.
Senate District 25 Vacancy
On January 11, 2026, the House District 29 Vacancy Committee, with 34 members present, unanimously selected Lori Goldstein to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former State House Representative Shannon Bird.
House District 29 Vacancy
On January 12, 2026, the House District 33 Vacancy Committee, with 36 members present, selected Kenny Nguyen to fill the vacancy created when William Lindstedt was chosen to serve as State Senator following the passing of State Senator Faith Winter. Representative-Elect Nguyen earned 52.9% of the vote, defeating Heidi Henkel, who received 47.1%.
House District 33 Vacancy
Other FAQs
Who is on a vacancy committee?
Vacancy committees are defined by statutes. They include the district officers, all precinct organizers in the district, elected State House Reps and Senators and County Commissioners.
Is there a deadline for people wanting to be considered for the appointment?
Any democrat in the district can run for the position by sending their letter of intent. Once that email is received the candidate receives the vacancy committee members list. There is no deadline to send the letter, candidates who submit their letter of intent earlier will have more time to do the necessary outreach to vacancy committee members.
Does the winner need a majority of the members present or just a plurality?
In order to be elected State Senator in the vacancy committee meeting a candidate must receive 50% or more of the votes. If no candidates meets the threshold, the lowest vote getter will be dropped and a second ballot will be needed.
For how long will those who are appointed to vacancies serve?
The new Senator will serve until December 31, 2026.
How does a candidate get their name on the Primary ballot?
Any candidate wishing to be on the June 2026 primary ballot must run through the Assembly process or petition. The SD21 Assembly will take place over zoom on April 11 at 4pm. Candidates must sent their letters of intent to run via Assembly by the statutory deadline of March 12, 2026. Any candidate who receives 30% of the votes or more will qualify to appear on the primary ballot.
Email us your questions karin@coloradodems.org