El Paso County Commissioner, District 5
November 3, 2026 · El Paso County, Colorado · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 0 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 742,999 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(742,999 ÷ 742,999) ÷ ln(742,999 ÷ 724) = 0, comparing counties in CO (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
County Commissioner is responsible for:
- Passing county rules and the county budget
- Setting property tax rates that fund county services
- Overseeing county departments such as roads, parks, and public health
- Deciding land use in areas outside city limits
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Lauren Nelson
Republican · Incumbent · declared
Lauren Nelson is the Republican incumbent El Paso County Commissioner for District 5, who won the seat in a 2025 special election and is seeking a full term in 2026.
Yolanda Avila
Democratic · declared
Yolanda Avila is the 2026 Democratic nominee for El Paso County Commission District 5.
Election sources
Source: gazette.com