About a dozen ballots ‘intercepted’ and stuffed in Colorado, with 3 votes counted, officials say

MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News ) – Colorado officials believe ballots for the upcoming presidential election have been “intercepted,” Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold announced Thursday.

The alleged voter fraud allegedly occurred in Mesa County.

Griswold, a Democrat, said she believes about a dozen Mesa County voters had their ballots intercepted and filled out without their knowledge. The alleged criminals then mailed the fraudulent ballots to the clerk’s office using U.S. Postal Service boxes.

Griswold would not comment on whether any suspects have been identified or arrested, but added that they will release details when they can. It is unclear whether a member of the US Postal Service was involved or a member of the clerk’s office.

“This fraud was found early in the process in Mesa County and action was taken,” Griswold explained.

Griswold said her office was alerted Wednesday morning and she believes the Mesa County Clerk’s Office began looking into the situation Tuesday.

Griswold said he believed the ballots were intercepted during the signature verification process, adding that three had already been counted and those votes could not be reversed. However, it appears that these voters are getting a second ballot to vote.

Griswold could not comment on whether more than three fraudulent ballots may have arrived.

The scheme was identified during the signature verification process when signatures on mail-in ballots are checked against the signatures the state has on file for each voter.

“We will have to leave the criminal investigation. We don’t know the reason,” Griswold said

She encouraged voters to go to a trusted source for information.

Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbi Gross, a Republican, issued a statement indicating she was unhappy that Griswold called a news conference.

“Our priority is to handle this investigation with the utmost care and diligence, and I believe that the premature release of details could compromise our ability to hold those responsible accountable.
While we understand the Secretary of State’s desire to make public statements, this is our community and our investigation,” Gross said.

“It is essential that we follow the proper procedures to ensure a thorough and effective investigation without notifying those involved. The people of Mesa County deserve transparency and accountability, but it must be done in a manner that protects the integrity of the investigation.
We ask for your patience as we proceed with caution to ensure a fair and equitable outcome for our community.”