Local Colorado election officials launched an investigation this week after they discovered that at least 12 mail-in ballots for the 2024 election had been stolen and turned in and multiple were counted as legitimate votes.

The voter fraud was flagged by election officials in Mesa County, a Republican-dominated area in western Colorado, on Tuesday due to signature verification measures. One of the ballots was flagged after a voter tracked the ballots and saw that it had been cast even though they had never received their ballot. 

“I am fully committed to ensuring the integrity and security of our elections. We are currently investigating attempted election fraud,” said Republican Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross. 

Three ballots were counted as legitimate and cannot be voided though the voters can cast another ballot, NBC reported. The ballots were reportedly flagged by the signature verification process, but were approved by an election judge, who has since been “reassigned,” according to Colorado Public Radio.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, said that while it was “unfortunate” that the ballots had been counted, the state’s election “system did work,” adding that they were still determining motive. Which candidates the ballots were marked for was not disclosed by the officials. 

Griswold announced the investigation on Thursday, which Gross suggested may compromise the county’s criminal investigation. 

“Our priority is to handle this investigation with the utmost care and diligence, and I believe that prematurely releasing details could compromise our ability to hold those responsible accountable,” Gross said. “While we understand the Secretary of State’s desire to make public statements, this is our community and our investigation.”

Gross said that the county would share further information on the investigation when “it is responsible to do so.” 

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“It is critical that we follow proper procedures to ensure a thorough and effective investigation without tipping off those involved,” she said. “The people of Mesa County deserve transparency and accountability, but it must be done in a manner that protects the integrity of the investigation.”

“We ask for patience as we proceed with caution to ensure a just and fair outcome for our community,” Gross added. “I am committed to transparency and will provide updates as the situation evolves.”

Over 27,000 votes have already been counted in Mesa County, which went for former President Donald Trump by almost 30 points in 2020. A previous Daily Wire investigation documented that people across the country had been receiving ballots for others who had moved away or even people who had died.