Charter Review Committee

What are some ways the charter could be amended to improve Denver’s elections process?
Voters cast their vote for a candidate of their choice, and the candidate who receives the most votes wins, regardless of vote share.
Voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. If a candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, he or she is declared the winner.
Each voter may select (
The charter would be amended to allow more time to prepare for a run-off after a general election.
In connection with other modifications, change the date of the election(s)

The Charter Review Committee provides critical input to improve election processes. This committee works directly with Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López, his office, and other appointed members of the community.  

The seven-member committee represents a bipartisan approach and invites feedback from numerous stakeholders, including the community, for guidance during the review process. 

Committee meeting dates and times are subject to change. Check back for the most current information.

About the Commitee

Charter Background

The Office of the Clerk and Recorder is tasked with the administration of elections held within the City and County of Denver. The electoral process is governed by Denver's 100-year-old Home Rule Charter.

The Charter Review Committee has been convened to specifically review and make recommendations regarding the charter section having to do with municipal elections. In particular, the committee will concern itself with the criteria and process for conducting a runoff election.

Committee Goals

The Committee will make a formal recommendation to Clerk López in early 2021 so that he may work with City Council to place a Charter amendment on the November 2021 ballot. Clerk López will instruct the Committee to recommend one of the following options to him:

  1. Pursue first-past-the-post voting;
  2. Pursue ranked-choice voting;
  3. Pursue approval voting;
  4. Provide more time in between the general and the run-off elections; or
  5. In connection with another option above, change the dates of the election(s).

Committee members

The Committee is comprised of seven members who are appointed by Council, the Mayor’s Office, and Clerk and Recorder Paul López:

Michael Cummings. Ph.D. | Professor Emeritus of Political Science at University of Colorado Denver – Clerk and Recorder Appointee

Hon. Kevin Flynn | Denver City Council District 2 – Council Appointee

Hon. Stacie Gilmore | President of Denver City Council District 11– Council Appointee

Mark Grueskin, Esq. | Shareholder Recht Kornfeld PC – Clerk and Recorder Appointee

Hon. Stephanie O’Malley | Associate Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations Denver University   – Clerk and Recorder Appointee

Gena Ozols | Field Director at Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights – Clerk and Recorder Appointee and Community Applicant.

Alan Salazar, Esq. | Chief of Staff for Mayor Michael Hancock – Mayoral Appointee


Public Comment

Would you like to offer your thoughts on the future of Denver’s elections? Please email your comments to charterclerk@denvergov.org and they will become part of the official record. The Committee members will review all public comments before each meeting. 


 

Meetings

Upcoming Meetings:

Future meeting times and dates are subject to change. Check back for information as it is finalized.

Meetings are tentatively scheduled for:

January 28, 2021: 2:30 to 4 p.m.. Topic: Approval Voting Join via Zoom

February 18, 2021

Meeting Agendas

 

 

News

 

Recorded meetings will be available
All Charter Review Committee meetings will be recorded and made public on this website.

 


Contact Us

We welcome your feedback. Please send your questions and comments to us via email at charterclerk@denvergov.org and be sure to include your name and Denver Council District if applicable.

Thank you!

 

 

 

Resource Library

Links to helpful documents and websites

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