Denver polling places praised

CU study salutes quality, accessibility for city's minorities

Fernando Quintero, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 27, 2005 at midnight

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A University of Colorado study that examined obstacles to voting in cities with significant Hispanic and black populations gives Denver high marks when it comes to accessibility and quality of polling places in minority neighborhoods.

The study, by political scientists Anna Sampaio, of UCD, and Eric Gonzalez-Juenke, of the Boulder campus, examined issues such as the availability of parking near polling places, their proximity to major thoroughfares and their visibility.

The results will be presented at a bilingual advisory meeting of the Denver Election Commission at 4:30 p.m. today in the Bernard Valdez Heritage Center, 924 W. Colfax Ave.

"It was fascinating to learn how well Denver fared in comparison to other cities," Sampaio said. "Accessibility is particularly important to new voters, many of whom are Latino. If they can't find a place to park, or can't find the polling place because it's not well-lit or clearly marked, many end up leaving."

The study is based on a similar survey conducted in Los Angeles County over the past three years, which found significant discrepancies in the quality of voting conditions in white and minority communities.

Researchers found that the lower quality of voting conditions in black and Hispanic neighborhoods resulted in lower turnout in these communities during key races.

In 2004, the study was extended to cities across the country, including Denver; Phoenix; Atlanta; El Paso, Texas; San Antonio; Dallas-Fort Worth; and Miami.

In Denver, certain accessibility factors were rated higher in minority neighborhoods than in Anglo ones. For example, polling places were more readily visible from the street in Hispanic, black and Asian neighborhoods. Interiors were also better lighted. But polling places in minority neighborhoods were less likely to be adjacent to a major street.

The study was drawn from surveys of all 420 polling locations in Denver.

Karon Hatchett, executive director of the Denver Election Commission, said that the study's high marks demonstrate the city's overall commitment to customer service.

"Our goal is to make the polls as accessible as possible, and we listen to voters when problems do come up," she said. "I think Denver goes above and beyond the call of duty."

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