City Auditor Dennis Gallagher prodded Mayor John Hickenlooper on Tuesday to better monitor the Denver Election Commission, alleging that more voter data are missing and the upcoming elections are in jeopardy.
But the auditor’s second letter to Hickenlooper in less than a week prompted its own backlash after commission officials dismissed his allegations as untrue.
“This is a perfect example of what our auditor does best, and that is political grandstanding,” said Sandy Adams, a commissioner. “Since he cannot audit, all he does is quote Shakespeare and (take part in) political grandstanding.”
Hickenlooper responded with a letter noting that despite Gallagher’s concern, the auditor canceled a meeting with the mayor last week and failed to nominate someone for a task force that will study the Election Commission.
“While I do have managerial authority over the Clerk and Recorder,” Hickenlooper wrote, “the two other commissioners are – as you know – independently elected. I encourage you to engage them directly in responding to your concerns.”
In a letter addressed to Hickenlooper, Gallagher wrote that he was “extremely concerned” about the commission and its ability to conduct elections.
Gallagher, citing “citizen information” and leads gathered in an ongoing audit, alleged deeper problems at the commission than the widely reported missing files.
Two weeks ago, the commission disclosed that it had lost the voting records containing personal data of 150,000 voters. It later found 87,000 of the records but reported that it lost a file cabinet containing records during a move.
Gallagher asserted that the commission is also missing CDs that contain voter records, that new voting machines were not working and that an “election poll book” – needed to ensure that people don’t vote multiple times in early voting and vote- center elections – had not been created.
Each allegation – save one referring to low morale at the commission – was dismissed as incorrect by commission officials.
“Having to respond to the daily rumor mill isn’t helping anybody,” said commission spokesman Alton Dillard. “So any concerns that the auditor has, we are more than willing to give him the grand tour.”
Adams, who left a post in Gallagher’s office to run for election commissioner, said she was incensed that he would make such allegations without first calling the commission.
“I raised money for the guy – why didn’t he call me?” she said. “Instead, he is elevating himself … and he is doing it at anybody’s expense.”
The auditor’s spokesman, Den is Berckefeldt, said the information behind the allegations was valid and “from people who are inside the Election Commission.” He noted that claims of missing documents were originally dismissed as rumor before being confirmed.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-820-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
