Sariah Medina-April 2023 With mayoral elections coming up 4/3/23 and runoff election 6/6/23 here in Denver, its perfect timing to talk about getting those circulator and petition affidavits prepared and signed. Are you gearing up to circulate a petition and get your voice heard in the political arena? Well, let me tell you, it's not all glamorous rallies and campaign buttons. One of the essential steps in the process is getting your circulator affidavit notarized. I know, I know, it sounds boring and confusing, but fear not! As a notary public in Colorado, I'm here to guide you through the process and make sure you don't stumble at the finish line. So, put on your activist hat and let's get started! Now, I know what you're thinking: "Sariah, what's so important about getting my circulator affidavit notarized correctly? Can't I just slap a signature on there and call it a day?" Well, my friend, let me tell you: a notarized circulator affidavit can be the difference between your petition being accepted or rejected. First things first: what exactly is a circulator affidavit? Well, simply put, it's a legal document that attests to the fact that the person collecting signatures for a petition is doing so in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. In Colorado, circulator affidavits are required for all ballot initiative petitions and candidate petitions. Now, let's talk about the right way to get your circulator affidavit notarized in Colorado. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Find a Notary Public 

First things first, you need to find a notary public who is authorized to notarize documents in the state of Colorado. Luckily for you, I'm a notary public in Colorado and I'm always happy to help!

Step 2: Bring Your ID 

When you show up to have your circulator affidavit notarized, make sure you bring a valid government-issued ID. This could be a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID. Just make sure it has a photo and a signature. (And that it's not expired)

Step 3: Don't Sign Your Affidavit Yet! 

This may seem counterintuitive, but it's important not to sign your circulator affidavit until you're in the presence of the notary public. I need to witness you signing the affidavit, so make sure to hold off until we're there.

Step 4: Swear or Affirm Under Oath 

When you're ready to sign, I'll ask you to swear or affirm under oath that the information in the affidavit is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge. This is a crucial step, so make sure you're telling the truth!

Step 5: Sign in Notary's Presence

Once you've sworn or affirmed, it's time to sign your circulator affidavit. I'll need to witness your signature, so sign in my presence. And voila! You've officially gotten your circulator affidavit notarized. 

Here are some additional tips to make sure your circulator affidavit notarization goes off without a hitch:

• Make sure the affidavit is filled out completely and accurately before you bring it to the notary public.
• Bring multiple copies of the affidavit, just in case there are any mistakes or issues that need to be corrected.
• Don't wait until the last minute to get your affidavit notarized. Give yourself plenty of time to make any necessary corrections or obtain additional signatures.

Don't forget, prior to getting all those signatures you'll need to get your Petition Affidavit notarized too. A petition affidavit is a document that confirms the identity and residency of the person collecting signatures for a petition. In other words, it's a way to make sure that the people collecting signatures are who they say they are and live where they say they live. It's a vital step in the petition process and can make or break your chances of getting your issue on the ballot. So make sure you get this taken care of well before collecting signatures.

Notarizing your petition or circulator affidavits in Colorado doesn't have to be a headache. Just follow these simple steps and you'll be on your way to a successful petition in no time. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about notarizing your petition orcirculator affidavit, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always here to help make your affidavit dreams a reality.

REMEMBER as a notary public, I cannot provide legal advice. Any information shared in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. For any specific legal questions or concerns, I encourage you to consult with an attorney or other legal professional.