Summary
- The Republican National Committee, joined by Douglas County Clerk Sheri Davis and U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, filed a lawsuit against Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold on June 26, 2026.
- The suit challenges Colorado’s policy of allowing U.S. citizens living abroad who have never lived in the state to register and vote using a parent, spouse, or guardian’s former Colorado address.
- The RNC argues this violates the Colorado Constitution’s residency requirement and dilutes the votes of actual Colorado residents.
What Happened
On June 26, 2026, the RNC and two Colorado Republican officials sued Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold in Denver District Court. The lawsuit targets guidance issued by Griswold’s office that implements a state statute allowing certain overseas U.S. citizens to vote in Colorado even if they have never personally lived there.
Under the policy, a U.S. citizen living abroad qualifies if a parent, legal guardian, spouse, or domestic partner was a Colorado resident before leaving the United States. The RNC contends that this “inherited” or “proxy” residency violates Article VII of the Colorado Constitution, which requires voters to have “resided in this state.”
The complaint asks the court to declare the policy unconstitutional, stop new registrations under it, and cancel existing registrations of these “never-resident” voters.
Why It Matters
Voter residency requirements exist to ensure that only people with a genuine connection to a state influence its elections. Allowing individuals who have never lived in Colorado and may have no intention of ever returning to vote using a relative’s former address creates a clear vulnerability. It expands the electorate beyond actual residents and opens the door to potential abuse, especially in a state like Colorado that already has same-day registration and widespread mail-in voting.
When election officials interpret federal overseas voting laws in ways that stretch state constitutional limits, it undermines public confidence in the integrity of the voter rolls.
The Bigger Picture
This lawsuit is part of a coordinated RNC effort targeting similar “never-resident” voting policies in multiple states, including Nebraska, Virginia, Arizona, North Carolina, and Michigan. It reflects growing Republican focus on tightening voter eligibility rules ahead of future elections.
Colorado has been a flashpoint for election controversies for years. The case of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted and imprisoned for breaching voting equipment in an attempt to investigate 2020 election claims, highlighted deep distrust in the state’s election administration. While Peters’ actions were ruled illegal, the underlying concerns about transparency and verification have persisted.
The RNC’s lawsuit forces a direct legal test of whether Colorado’s expansive interpretation of overseas voting rights complies with its own constitution. If successful, it could set a precedent forcing states to apply stricter personal residency standards. If it fails, it will further entrench policies that allow people with no real ties to a state to influence its elections.
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