The Denver City Council on Monday tabled a proposed ballot initiative that would have eliminated the embattled Election Commission.
The council also gave a reluctant go- ahead to put on the November ballot an initiative to legalize the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana, noting it had no choice since the group Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) collected enough signatures to force a vote.
Even if voters pass the measure in November, state laws on marijuana possession would be applicable and Denver police would enforce those laws, city officials have said.
Council president Rosemary Rodriguez, the sponsor of the Election Commission proposal, said she had seven votes behind her – a majority – but wanted a super- majority to put such a serious charter change on the November ballot.
“I want the council steadfastly behind this,” Rodriguez said, noting she hoped to get the issue on the May 2006 ballot. “But this doesn’t mean I have any confidence in the way the commission is operating.”
The proposed charter change would have eliminated the three-member commission and removed the clerk and recorder position from the mayor’s executive branch. A new position of elected clerk would be created and made accountable to Denver residents. The clerk would appoint a director to run election operations.
Some council members had reservations about the clerk and recorder position being elected. A few were troubled that other options besides eliminating the commission had not been adequately explored.
Even so, many council members echoed Rodriguez’s concerns about the commission’s past blunders and mishaps.
“I hope this is a wake-up call for the Election Commission,” said City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth. “There have been problems, and there have been issues. I hope that’s not brushed aside.”
Rodriguez said she intends to appoint a diverse group led by someone with local elections expertise to look at options over the next two months.
The council also heard about strategies on energy independence from U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, the first Colorado senator to address the council. Salazar discussed the importance of a recently passed federal energy bill that includes conservation, renewable energy, new technologies and responsible development.
Staff writer Karen Crummy can be reached at kcrummy@denverpost.com or 303-820-1594.
