Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher is speeding up and expanding his review of the embattled Election Commission after an initial investigation of complaints.
The review will focus on the performance of the commission, including how the three- member board determines whether to use mail ballots, polling places or other methods.
“Concerns raised have been about financial situations as well as performance concerns,” said auditor spokesman Denis Berckefeldt, noting the audit is now at the top of the list.
“The auditor, through some initial investigation into those concerns, believes the information warrants expediting the implementation of an audit.”
Gallagher’s move came Thursday as the commission voted 2-1 to use polling places instead of just mail ballots in November.
The commission didn’t think the city election department could scan all the signatures of registered voters into the computer system by November. Those signatures are used to verify the signatures on mail ballots.
“Mail ballots are too risky, and we should go back to basics,” said Clerk and Recorder Wayne Vaden.
In February, the commission reversed its decision to hold an all-mail ballot for the May election in which voters approved funding for a new justice center – even though a mail election was expected to save taxpayers as much as $400,000.
Instead, the members decided to use a combination of absentee ballots, early voting at vote centers and election-day polling places. Since then, the commission has said it would use vote centers in November.
Prior to Thursday’s meeting, the commission met behind closed doors with former election staffer Alan McBeth, who was terminated a few weeks ago. McBeth, who was asking for his job back, was fired for alleged misconduct and negligence. He says it was the “criticism of the management style of the executive director,” Karon Hatchett, that resulted in his termination.
The commission did not decide whether to reinstate him.
The commission has been criticized for a series of mishaps and public blunders, most notably in last year’s presidential election. The commission is also under fire from the City Council, which is considering a proposal to eliminate the commission entirely.
The council has until Aug. 11 to approve the proposal and file it with the election department before it can go on November’s ballot.
Staff writer Karen Crummy can be reached at 303-820-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com.
