Presidential election, 2020

Jena Griswold defeated incumbentWayne W. Williams,Amanda Campbell, andBlake Huber in the general election for Colorado Secretary of State on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jena Griswold (D)	52.7	1,313,716
		Wayne W. Williams (R)	44.7	1,113,927
	Submit photo	Amanda Campbell (American Constitution Party)	2.1	51,734
		Blake Huber (Approval Voting Party)	0.5	13,258

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,492,635
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Jena Griswold advanced from the Democratic primary for Colorado Secretary of State on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jena Griswold	100.0	510,903

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 510,903
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IncumbentWayne W. Williams advanced from the Republican primary for Colorado Secretary of State on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Wayne W. Williams	100.0	414,926

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 414,926
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What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Commission studies to evaluate alternative voting methods including Approval Voting and Ranked Choice voting.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Elections and voting and the lack of ability for voters to vote honestly and sincerely at the polls.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Thomas Jefferson was intelligent and caring.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I would recommend "Gaming the Vote" by William Poundstone to see how our current system of vote-for-one-and-only-one creates and incentivizes votes splitting, waisted votes, and negative campaigning. There is no wonder that an independent doesn't want to run for office, he or she has no chance of winning with our current system!

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and transparency.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I was in management for over 30 years and have handled budgets that in current dollars would be over $6 million. I have mentored many people to expand their limits and be successful beyond what they thought they were capable of doing.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listening to the voters.

What legacy would you like to leave?

An alternative voting method like Approval Voting or Ranked Choice Voting being used across the state of Colorado.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first major event that I can remember was the spaceflight of Alan Shepard. I was 10 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked in an ice cream parlor for about six months.

What happened on your most awkward date?

I fell in love and eventually married.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Independence Day, because the people of our nation decided freedom was more important then safety.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert Heinlein

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Doctor Who

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

My Kindle because it allows me to choose from thousands of books to read at the touch of a button.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Trying to do more than I humanly could.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government?

The Secretary of State's office administers elections, ensures election integrity, and licenses businesses.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Making sure the voters are able to truly express themselves by voting for all the candidates with whom they agree. It's extremely important that we are represented by candidates that have the broadest popular support instead of having the support of the largest or most vocal faction.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Secretary of State's office protects the seal of the state of Colorado.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

A good Secretary of State would know how to manage, how to make decisions, and how to think creatively. These attributes are learned through other methods than through politics. A good manager has to understand politics.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

A good Secretary of State would need to be able to communicate properly with voters and other stakeholders so he could bring people together.