GILPIN COUNTY - On October 22, 2024, a routine visit to the DMV in Gilpin County took an unexpected turn when I witnessed Donna Okray Parman, a well-known resident, being asked to leave the premises by local law enforcement near the voting polls. 

Okray Parman, volunteering as a poll watcher, had allegedly violated several rules governing election activities, prompting Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick to call the Sheriff for assistance.

Witnesses, including myself, observed Parman seated on a bench while a Gilpin County deputy requested that she exit the building. The officer warned that she could face arrest if she refused. Parman argued that her rights were being violated but eventually chose to be escorted after further warnings.

Dismissal from Election Duties

Okray Parman’s removal stemmed from her alleged violations of election watcher protocols, which McCormick outlined in a formal dismissal letter. The letter, later posted by Okray Parman on her blog “The Gilpin Light,” detailed her infractions, which included interrupting election officials, using her cell phone in restricted areas, and being verbally abusive.

“You are being dismissed from your duties as an Election Watcher for committing the following prohibited actions…[including] being abusive or threatening toward election officials or voters and interrupting or disrupting the processing, verification, or counting of ballots,” McCormick’s letter stated.

Despite her dismissal, Okray Parman did not leave immediately and later blogged about the incident, stating, “I was given the choice to leave with him, or get handcuffed, arrested, and taken to jail overnight to be arraigned this morning. I chose to be escorted off the premises.”

Disputes Over Election Watcher Roles

Okray Parman expressed frustration, claiming she was unjustly prevented from carrying out her duties as a poll watcher. In her blog, she shared an exchange with McCormick, where the clerk said that watchers could not challenge or view ballot envelopes, a responsibility reserved for election judges. Parman questioned why a watcher would be present if they were not allowed to intervene in suspected discrepancies.

However, Colorado’s Secretary of State election rules provide clear limits for election watchers. While watchers are allowed to observe, track electors, and submit written complaints, they are prohibited from interfering with the process or using electronic devices where personal voter information might be accessible.

Some residents supported the actions of McCormick and the sheriff. On the “Home Sweet Home Gilpin County” group page, one Facebook user commented, “Donna is factually wrong here by my knowledge. Watchers are not judges; they can watch the process, but are not allowed to interfere with it.”

Legal Clarifications and Community Debate

Okray Parman’s actions during the incident raised questions about the role of election watchers and the legal guidelines they must follow. 

Colorado law is clear that watchers are not to disrupt election activities or use cell phones in polling locations where sensitive voter information could be visible. Okray Parman’s claim that she only took photos to show she couldn’t see the ballot signatures from her position still violated these regulations.

The law prohibits any form of photography in polling locations. Several states, including Colorado, enforce strict rules against such activities to protect voter privacy, and these laws are applied consistently. Despite this, Okray Parman has filed complaints with the Colorado Secretary of State and the state’s Republican Party, claiming her rights as a watcher were infringed upon.

Ongoing Legal Troubles

This recent confrontation is not Okray Parman’s first brush with legal issues. She is currently fined for breaking campaign laws related to her involvement in distributing postcards concerning Jessica Kays' campaign for Gilpin County office. 

The Administrative Hearing Officer in the Colorado Secretary of State’s office ruled that Okray Parman sent out letters to voters that  misrepresented Kays and violated state campaign finance laws. These letters have sparked further controversy in the community and drawn additional scrutiny to Okray Parman’s role in local politics.

As these legal matters continue to unfold, Okray Parman remains a polarizing figure in Gilpin County. Whether her recent actions will lead to further consequences is uncertain, but the community is left grappling with the complexities of election oversight and campaign integrity.