The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office held a budget hearing on May 16, 2025, focusing on the upcoming election preparations and motor vehicle services. The meeting highlighted key statistics and operational updates relevant to the county's election processes and vehicle registration services.

The Clerk reported that as of September 23, the total number of registered voters in El Paso County stood at approximately 583,000, which includes both active and inactive voters. The office has seen a 4% increase in new registrations, with expectations for similar growth leading up to the elections. Notably, the Clerk mentioned that the office processed over 1.4 million ballots for the 2024 elections, the highest in Colorado, and anticipates significant turnout for the upcoming November election.

The Clerk emphasized the importance of election integrity, noting that the office successfully passed all pre-election testing, post-election audits, and canvassing processes for recent elections. These efforts are supported by community volunteers from various political affiliations, ensuring a bipartisan approach to maintaining election standards.

In addition to election updates, the meeting addressed motor vehicle services. The Clerk's Office is one of the few in Colorado that handles driver's license renewals directly, providing a more accessible option for residents compared to the state Department of Revenue. The office has outpaced state averages in processing driver's license renewals by 35% to 50% monthly. As of October 7, nearly 379,000 transactions related to vehicle registrations and driver's licenses were completed, with a significant portion occurring in person.

The Clerk also noted the unique challenges faced by military personnel in the county, particularly regarding ownership tax exemptions when using kiosks for vehicle renewals. The office continues to adapt its services to meet the needs of the community, particularly given the presence of five major military installations in the area.

Overall, the budget hearing underscored the Clerk and Recorder's commitment to efficient election administration and responsive motor vehicle services, with plans for continued improvements as the county approaches the November elections.