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?
Senate District 25 Vacancy
Following the tragic passing of Colorado State Senator Faith Winter, the Senate District 25 Vacancy Committee, in accordance with the Colorado Revised Statutes and Colorado Democratic Party Rules, will convene virtually for the sole purpose of electing a new Senator to represent Senate District 25 on December 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Candidates who wish to run for Sen. Winter’s vacant seat must file by emailing their letter of intent to SD 25 chair Rosanna “Dondi” Reyes at drreyex@gmail.com and CDP Chair Shad Murib at shad@coloradodems.org.
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.
Email us your questions karin@coloradodems.org