A historic election to recall Colorado State Senate President John Morse over his support for stricter gun laws begins at 8 a.m. Thursday in El Paso County.

Voters will be asked whether the Colorado Springs Democrat should be recalled. If he is, then Republican Bernie Herpin, the only candidate on the same ballot, will succeed him.

Also facing ouster for her support for gun bills in the 2013 session is Sen. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo. The only candidate on the ballot in that election is Republican George Rivera.

Early voting in Pueblo County began last Friday. As of Wednesday night, more than 3,500 people had voted in the Giron recall, reported Clerk and Recorder Gilbert Ortiz.

The recall election for both senators is scheduled for Tuesday, when the polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

The elections mark the first time in Colorado history that a state lawmaker has faced a recall. Second Amendment activists and gun-safety advocates from across the nation are closely watching the outcome.

Only voters in Giron’s and Morse’s Senate districts are eligible to vote in the recall election.

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Wayne Williams has tried to stress that point in recent weeks, but he predicted voters outside Morse’s district will show up and try to vote.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” he said.

For one thing, El Paso County is represented by five state senators, and many people don’t know who their senator is, Williams said.

Adding to the confusion: Morse represents Senate District 11. The largest school district in Colorado Springs is District 11, and most parents know which school district they live in, so they might think he is their senator, Williams said.

In Pueblo, some of the voters who have shown up do not live in Giron’s district, Senate District 3, Ortiz said. Pueblo County has two senators, but the majority of residents live in Giron’s district.

Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327, lbartels@denverpost.com or twitter.com/lynn_bartels