Tuesday’s mail holiday prompted by a national day of mourning for former President Gerald Ford has put a glitch in Lakewood’s special election.
Ballots in the mail-only election were to have been returned by mail or dropped off at the city clerk’s office by 7 p.m. Tuesday.
With the additional no-mail day, City Clerk Margy Greer decided to extend the deadline for mailed-in ballots. She will pick up ballots at the post office today at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
No ballots dropped off at city hall after 7 p.m. Tuesday will be counted.
“Due to the unforeseen circumstances of the national day of mourning,” Greer said. “I decided that this was the fairest thing to do.”
As of Tuesday night, about 22,000 ballots out of 74,000 active registered voters had been received.
At issue is a referendum about a proposed land swap in the Rooney Valley south of West Alameda Parkway and east of C-470.
Voters are being asked if the city should trade 21.8 acres of land in Forsberg/Iron Spring Park for 21.8 acres of land owned by developer Carma Inc.
Opponents say the parcels may be equal in size but not in value, and the exchange would be a bad precedent for land donated for parks.
Supporters argue the swap will provide a buffer between an existing subdivision and the pending Springfield Green subdivision and will establish a wildlife and recreational corridor between Hayden and Bear Creek Lake parks.
The Lakewood City Council twice voted unanimously to approve the trade, with the action being challenged by petitioners who contend the decision belongs to the voters.
The election will cost about $242,000, city officials estimate.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
