News Release

State of Colorado
Department of State
1700 Broadway
Suite 550
Denver, CO 80290

Jena Griswold
Secretary of State

Andrew Kline
Deputy Secretary of State

Media contacts
303-860-6903

Eric Nelson Does Not Qualify for State Primary Ballot

Denver, February 19, 2026 - The Elections Division of the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced today that Eric Nelson, Democratic candidate for Colorado House of Representatives, District 42, failed to submit the required number of signatures to appear on the June 30, 2026 State Primary ballot.

Candidates for the Colorado House of Representatives are required to collect 1,000 signatures (or 30% of votes cast in the last election, whichever is smaller) in their district, a requirement outlined by 1-4-801, C.R.S. Eric Nelson submitted 29 valid signatures, failing to meet the signature threshold.

Petition Verification Summary:

Number of qualified signatures submitted: 1,635

Number of entries rejected: 1,606

Number of entries accepted: 29

Number of valid signatures required: 1,000

2026 State Primary petitioning candidates

A record of all accepted and rejected signatures, including reasons for each rejection is on file with the Secretary of State.

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