Vote might change elections

Citizens will decide whether to disband city commission

Lou Kilzer, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 16, 2007 at midnight

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In a special election this month, Denver voters will have their first chance in more than 100 years to significantly change the way the city handles elections.

Voters will decide whether to disband the three-member Denver Election Commission and replace it with an elected county clerk and recorder - a system that exists in all but two Colorado counties, Denver and Broomfield. The mail ballots must be returned by Jan. 30.

The election follows November's general election meltdown, in which thousands of voters faced hours-long lines at many voting centers. According to estimates, 18,000 or more would-be voters simply gave up.

The proposal has the strong support of many of Denver's elected officials, although Mayor John Hickenlooper has offered only a qualified endorsement. And one former election commissioner is dead-set against it.

"This reform measure was crafted by politicians with something to gain, and it does not address the issue," said former commissioner Jan Tyler.

She sees the November election debacle as "a perfect storm" that could be avoided in the future with better leadership.

When Tyler was on the commission from 1995 to 2003, there "was extreme pressure by the Webb administration to hire cronies," Tyler said.

She says she resisted that and others could do so in the future.

But that's just the problem, said Jenny Flanagan, of Colorado Common Cause. There has been too much buck-passing and not enough accountability.

An elected clerk and recorder would ensure efficiency, accountability and independence, Flanagan said.

If the proposal passes, patronage positions also would be eliminated and election employees would fall under the city's Career Service Authority.

The two Denver politicians most behind the proposal - Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez and Auditor Dennis Gallagher - stress the same points.

"We need accountability because right now the system is flawed and is not working," Gallagher said.

The commission is now made up of two elected commissioners and one mayoral appointee.

Gallagher says that set-up has led the elected commissioners, who are part-timers, to say the mayor's office is in charge, while the mayor's office says the elected commissioner hold the reins.

"Sometimes (the commissioners) have as many as three different opinions about how things should be handled," Rodriguez said.

"In the past I think there have been hiring decisions that have been made without respect to the functions of the job. People who knew the commissioners might get the job," she added.

Last year, the commission hired John Gaydeski as executive director, even though he lacked any experience in handling big-city elections. He had been a city manager in three small towns, including Federal Heights.

Gaydeski has resigned, but he continues to serve until he is replaced.

Everyone contacted by the Rocky Mountain News said it is critical that an elected clerk and recorder hire an elections director with serious experience in running elections.

"It's important to have someone in charge of elections that . . . has knowledge and passion for elections," said Fort Collins Clerk and Recorder Scott Doyle, who is recognized for successfully pioneering voting centers in Colorado, which require more sophisticated technology than neighborhood precincts.

Hickenlooper had been cool to the proposed change but said after the special election was approved, "Even though I don't think it's the perfect solution, I am going to support it."

Elected clerk and recorder: Pros and cons

Denver voters are considering a measure that would replace the three-member Denver election commission with an elected clerk and recorder. Here's what people are saying:

For

Jenny Flanagan, Colorado Common Cause:

"This is the right thing for Denver for three main reasons. We think it increases accountability. It maintains the independence of the office. And most importantly, it enhances efficiency."

City Auditor Dennis Gallagher:

"I think we need an elected clerk and recorder because we need someone who's going to be accountable. We need accountability because right now the system is flawed and is not working. The other thing is that an elected clerk will be more likely to want to make sure that the technology works."

Against

Jan Tyler, former Denver Election Commissioner:

"This reform measure was crafted by politicians with something to gain, and it does not address the issue. All it does is present a whole new set of issues."

City Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz:

"I really do believe that the diversity of political opinion which has historically been on the Election Commission is good for the election process. Quite often you have both a Republican and a Democrat being elected. There has been a variety of opinion."

The ballot to vote for clerk and recorder

Denver's one-question ballot requires a No. 2 pencil or black ink pen. Mark your vote - yes or no - by filling in the gap in the arrow to the right of your preference with a single dark line. Don't use a felt-tip marker, red ink or whiteout. Don't circle or X anything.

About the election

287,000 Number of ballots mailed out

$650,000 Cost of the election

1904 Year Election Commission was created

Mail ballot drop-offs

Return postage on ballots is 63 cents. They must be received by 7 p.m. Jan. 30. Ballots can be dropped off at Election Commission headquarters, 303 W. Colfax Ave., weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office will remain open until 7 p.m. on Jan. 29 and 30.

These additional drop-off locations will be open weekdays Jan. 22-29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

• Athmar Recreation Center, 2680 W. Mexico Ave.

• Barnum Recreation Center, 360 Hooker St.

• District 3 Police Station, 1625 S. University Blvd.

• Eisenhower Recreation Center, 4300 E. Dartmouth Ave.

• Harvey Park Recreation Center, 2120 S. Tennyson St.

• Montbello Recreation Center, 15555 E. 53rd Ave.

• Montclair Recreation Center, 729 Ulster Way

• Scheitler Recreation Center, 5031 W. 46th Ave.

• Tattered Cover Book Store, 1628 16th St.

• Tattered Cover Book Store, 2526 E. Colfax Ave.

• Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave.

• On Election Day, Jan. 30, all locations will receive ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., including Election Commission curbside drop-off on Court Place between Colfax Avenue and 14th Street.

• 720-913-VOTE (8683): Number to call if you didn't get a ballotSource: Denver Election Commission

kilzerl@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2644

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