The Denver City Council is trying to restore confidence in the city’s damaged election process, but it’s going about it the wrong way.
The council recently called a snap election to replace the city election commission with an elected clerk and recorder. Mail ballots have been arriving, due to be returned no later than Jan. 30. We believe there hasn’t been time for proper consideration of this issue and urge voters to reject the ballot measure.
But don’t try to check the “no” box. It’s not nearly that simple.
This hastily crafted mail-only ballot was, of course, prepared by the same Denver Election Commission the council wants to replace. The instructions are awkward, the procedure is confusing, and there’s a game of “gotcha” on the matter of postage.
The Denver Post recommends a “no” vote in this stealth election – not because we support the existing election setup (we don’t) but because we believe this seriously needed reform should be made by an informed electorate in the city’s regular municipal elections next May.
Unfortunately, marking your January ballot isn’t as simple as it should be. In a task that evokes the “butterfly ballot” from Florida 2000, Denver voters must fill in one of two interrupted arrows – one pointing to “YES/SI” and the other to “NO/NO.”
Not just any connecting line will do. On this fragile ballot, voters must use a No. 2 pencil or a black ink pen – “do not use red ink, felt marker or white out.” It is a no-no to mark your ballot with a check mark or an X or by filling in a circle – the signs voters are used to using.
Wait, you’re not done.
Next, “place your voted ballot in the secrecy sleeve, place your secrecy sleeve in your official return envelope, then sign and date the affidavit located on the backside of the official return envelope.”
Now look at the upper right-hand corner of the envelope which says “affix adequate postage.” If you read every word of the full page of instructions you’ll find: “You must affix 63 cents postage.”
Don’t have a 63-cent stamp handy? Well, two 39-centers will do the trick, though it strikes us as a 15-cent poll tax.
These baffling procedures and awkward instructions are sure to further suppress voter turnout, and that’s our principal objection to the ballot issue.
The reform of the Denver elections system is essential to restoring confidence in city elections. Voters should mark “no” in this hasty mail election and tell the council the matter deserves full consideration in May’s municipal election.
