LPEA voting deadlines next week

La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) reminds its members that the 2025 board dlection voting deadlines are coming up next week, on May 20 and 21.

LPEA members have a unique opportunity to shape the future of their electric cooperative by voting in the director election. Participation in the annual election is vital to ensuring strong member representation on LPEA’s Board of Directors and helps the co-op continue to better serve its community.

As a cooperative entity, LPEA is legally prohibited from endorsing or opposing any candidate for its board of directors. The cooperative does not endorse any candidate for election. 

Eligible LPEA members have several options to cast their ballots.

Online voting

New this year, members can vote electronically through their secure online bill-pay SmartHub account. A “Vote Now” button will appear for eligible voters, directing members to the secure voting portal. Once the ballot is submitted, the button will disappear. Members enrolled in SmartHub received an email when voting opened in April, containing a direct link to access their ballot. Online ballots must be submitted by noon on May 20.

Mail-in ballots

Paper ballots were mailed to LPEA members in mid-April. Completed ballots mailed to LPEA after May 14 may not arrive in time to be counted by the voting deadline. Completed ballots should now be deposited in 24-hour drop boxes located only at the following LPEA offices:

• 45 Stewart St., Durango.
• 603 S. 8th St., Pagosa Springs.

Please note that ballots may no longer be submitted at La Plata County or Archuleta County election drop boxes.

In-person voting

Members may also vote in person from 11:30 a.m. to  12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, before LPEA’s annual meeting, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. the same day in the truck barn at the LPEA Durango Office.

As required by LPEA policies, all members will still receive a paper ballot by mail, unless they’ve opted out. However, the new online voting procedure prevents the possibility of duplicate votes and provides an accurate vote count. 

Deadlines

• Online ballots must be submitted by noon on May 20.
• Mail-in ballots must be received by 4 p.m. on May 20
• In person voting will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 21 at the LPEA Durango Office.

To learn more about LPEA’s board candidates please visit lpea.coop/elections.

Election results will be confirmed at the annual meeting. For more information and to RSVP, please visit lpea.coop/annual-meeting.