Denver Election 2019: Just Vote, Again
Hancock and Giellis Face Off For Mayor On June 4, Other Critical Races Include Clerk & Recorder
By Cara DeGette, Editor, GPHN
Rinse and repeat.
Last month’s citywide election was decisive in several ways. Incumbent City Councilman Chris Herndon, who represents District 8, fended off five challengers to win a third, and final term in office. Hendon won with 51.3 percent of the vote. District 8 includes Park Hill, Stapleton, East Colfax and Montbello.
Initiative 300, the Right to Rest, got creamed, with more than 81 percent voting against. Initiative 301, the psilocybin mushroom measure, passed with nearly 51 percent of the vote, making Denver the first city in the country to decriminalize magic mushrooms.
Citywide, five incumbent city councilmembers didn’t clear 50 percent of the vote, meaning they will face challengers in the Tuesday, June 4 runoff election. In Park Hill, voters will have several choices, including their choice for mayor of Denver. Here’s what’s at stake:
Mayor: Incumbent Mayor Michael B. Hancock received just shy of 40 percent of the vote in May. He faces Jamie Giellis, a former president of the RiNo Art District, who came in second with about 25 percent of the vote.
City Clerk & Recorder: Current City Councilman Paul Lopez received 36.2 percent of the vote in May. Voters will decide between Lopez and Public Interest Attorney Peg Perl, who won 32.6 percent of the vote.
Initiative 302: Let Denver Vote: This measure would prohibit using public money being spent on any future efforts to bring the Olympics to Denver, without first obtaining voter approval in a special election.
Ballots were mailed to all registered voters on Monday, May 20. They must be returned by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. If you still have your ballot sitting on the counter, don’t risk popping it in the mail at this late date. Instead, fill it out, and drop it off at one of many nearby voter locations. Check out the website DenverDecides.org for info on where to drop off ballots – or where to vote in person if you prefer that method.
Didn’t get a ballot? Or did you accidentally spill coffee, or maybe a dark beer on it? Not to worry. Stop by Denver election headquarters downtown at 200 W. 14th Ave. for a replacement.