Jack Twite, a Douglas County elections o cial, honored by state

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e statewide association of elections o cials honored a Douglas County elections employee known for deftly handling a sometimes contentious political climate, the association announced in early July.

As the county’s deputy of elections, Jack Twite “is dedicated to ensuring that our citizens understand, trust, and participate in the democratic process,” wrote his boss, Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Sheri Davis.

Davis’ comments came in a letter to nominate Twite for the Colorado County Clerks Association’s Excellence in Election Service award, according to a news release.

“What makes Jack truly unique is the way in which he balances his critical duties with positivity and an unwavering sense of humor,” Davis said, according to the release. “Who else would wear an in atable cowboy-riding-a-chicken-suit to help get his team excited about being ‘back in the saddle’ for each election cycle?”

Although Twite has hung on to his humor, elections o cials around Colorado have endured tense times in recent years. Some have faced hostility, even violent threats, a trend that continued in Colorado two years after the 2020 election, when former President Donald Trump and his supporters alleged widespread voter fraud.

Several county clerks in Colorado have received death threats since 2020, according to Matt Crane, director of the association and a Republican former Arapahoe County clerk. ose who have served as Colorado county clerks — on both sides of the aisle — have pushed back against claims of fraud.

When tensions ran high, Davis said in the release, Twite reminded those around him that most folks want the same thing: “To understand and trust the system, know that their vote counts, and the democratic process is secure.” ose who knew her said Burton’s commitment to service in the elec- tions division was surpassed only by her devotion to her family, according to the release.

“His dedication to his work comes in many forms,” Davis said, “from spending an extra hour at church or the store to answer questions or address concerns, to taking the time to personally provide tours for citizens who visit our elections o ce seeking more information about the process.” e award honors Michele Burton, who began her elections career in 1976 with the Colorado Secretary of State’s O ce and ended it as an Arapahoe County elections deputy. She and her husband Wayne died in a car accident in 2000 as they were traveling to Utah to watch their 14-yearold son play in a soccer tournament, according to the release. e Grandview High student was not in the car, which collided with a deer.

“Michele’s legacy lives on because of her passion to serve, commitment to elections integrity and excellence, and dedication to her colleagues and our citizens,” Davis said. “Jack embodies these same values in a way that would make Michele very proud.”

Twite was one of four election sta ers statewide nominated for the award. e association honored them at its summer conference in Durango in June. e award went to Gar eld County Clerk sta er Edna Place. Besides Twite, the other nalists were Kim Wright with Montrose County, and Jonathan Arebalos with Ouray County. e conference, which concluded