DENVER -- Colorado Secretary of State Donetta Davidson announced Monday that a family emergency has required her to be in Arizona so she won't be able to monitor the state's election activities on Election Day or through the week.

Davidson's brother is in a coma and in critical condition in a Phoenix hospital, following a motorcycle accident Saturday, so she flew to the hospital Monday to be at her injured brother's bedside, said her spokeswoman Dana Williams.

Election Day activities on Tuesday and through the end of the week will be overseen by three officials: Deputy Secretary of State Bill Hobbs and election officers Bill Compton and Drew Durham. Williams said these men have been involved in election preparations and supervision for years.

"I have every confidence that my common-sense, experienced staff will ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to vote, and that their vote will be counted with accuracy. We have good lawyers standing by as well, to deal with any legal challenges that may arise. We're ready to go, and we await the results like millions of Coloradans," said Davidson.

Davidson added that the staff at the Secretary of State's office has conducted many statewide elections, and the county clerks, where the votes are actually counted, have been preparing months to ensure a timely and accurate count.