Rep. Junie Joseph Hosts Town Hall on Campaign Finance and Election Integrity in Boulder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2026

BOULDER, Colo. – On Tuesday evening, State Representative Junie Joseph welcomed community members to the Canyon Theater for Campaign Insights: Money and Election Integrity, a town hall focused on Colorado's election system, public confidence in elections, and the role of campaign finance in democracy.

The event brought together leaders from state and local government, election administration, civil rights advocacy, and organized labor, including Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin, Boulder City Councilmember Rob Kaplan, Boulder County Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick, Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez, Ariane Frosh of the ACLU of Colorado, and Jacob Becklund of the Colorado AFL-CIO.

Following a presentation from the ACLU of Colorado on voting rights and election integrity, panelists discussed how Colorado's elections are administered and the safeguards that ensure ballots are counted accurately. Boulder County Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick emphasized the strength of Colorado's election system, reminding attendees that, "I want to reiterate that our elections are safe. Our office works every day to ensure every eligible voter can cast a ballot with confidence, knowing there are rigorous safeguards in place to protect the integrity of every election."

Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez highlighted one of those safeguards, noting, "Our election judges are bi-partisan. Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated Coloradans work together throughout the election process because protecting our elections is not a partisan responsibility. It's a shared commitment to ensuring every vote is counted accurately and fairly."

The conversation also focused on the influence of money in politics, public campaign financing, and the importance of transparency in campaign spending. Kaplan discussed Boulder's public financing program and how it helps make running for office more accessible to candidates from a wider range of backgrounds. Panelists also examined how campaign finance policies affect who is able to run for office and how voters can better understand the sources of political spending.

"These conversations are essential to building trust," said Rep. Junie Joseph. "We all have a role to play in our democracy. Whether you're voting, serving as an election judge, running for office, volunteering in your community, or simply taking the time to learn how our election system works, every one of us has a responsibility to strengthen and protect our democratic institutions. Democracy is strongest when people are informed, engaged, and willing to participate."

Rep. Joseph thanked moderator Jill Grano, the panelists, and everyone who attended, noting that conversations like this help strengthen public trust, increase transparency, and encourage greater civic participation across Colorado.