Election 2024: Primary Straight Ahead
Joseph Versus Walsh For DA
On June 25, Democratic voters will decide their choice for Denver District Attorney. Leora Joseph and John Walsh are running for the top prosecutor spot in a heavily Democratic city. No Republican is in the running to succeed Beth McCann, who is retiring after serving two four-year terms as DA. So whoever wins the June primary will likely be the winner in the November General Election.
The new DA will enter office amid increasing calls for progressive reforms like equitable prosecution, reducing mass incarceration, expanded restorative justice and a renewed focus on police accountability. To learn more about where Walsh and Joseph stand on critical issues, check out last month’s candidates’ Q&A at greaterparkhill.org/law-order/.
Gilchrist Walks To Win HD8
Candidate Lindsay Gilchrist has shut out three other Democratic candidates running to replace term-limited Rep. Leslie Herod in the Colorado Legislature. There is no Republican running in the heavily-Democratic district, and Gilchrist will likely be the new House District 8 representative.
HD8 includes Park Hill, as well as parts of Central Park, Whittier, Clayton, Cole, Skyland and Five Points neighborhoods. Three other Democrats running for HD8— Kwon Atlas, Victor Bencomo and Sharron Pettiford — failed during the March Democratic Assembly to meet the required threshold to make the ballot. Atlas subsequently attempted to petition onto the ballot by collecting 1,141 signatures from voters living in the district in 48 hours. The Secretary of State determined fewer than half of those — 523 — were actually valid. (Read the news story about the primary race from the April issue at greaterparkhill.org/slam-dunk-for-gilchrist/.)
Handy Resources For Voters
The following are a few resources about how to vote in the June 25 Primary Election:
■ Ballots will be mailed on June 3.
■ June 3 is also the last day for voters who are affiliated with a political party to change or withdraw their affiliation if they wish to vote in a different party’s primary election on June 25.
■ Election Day is Tuesday, June 25. Voter service and polling centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All ballots must be returned (not mailed) by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
■ Voters can update and verify addresses and party registration at GoVoteColorado.com. While you are there, sign up for Ballot Trace to track your ballot like a package, from printing to acceptance for counting.
There are several sites in and around the neighborhood to drop off your completed and signed ballot: Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center at 33rd and Holly Street, the Museum of Nature and Science in City Park, at the Montclair Recreation Center in the Lowry neighborhood, and at East High School.