Referred Question 2L -- a measure seeking to "modernize" election procedures -- appears likely to pass.
Unofficial vote results as of 11:30 p.m. showed almost 80% of voters approving the measure.
If that margin holds, it means the Clerk and Recorder's Office and Denver City Attorney's office will be able to review ballot titles to ensure the language is concise. The citizen petitioners can appeal if they don't agree on the title.
In voting on Referred Question 2L, voters were considering whether to limit citizen-led ballot initiatives to one subject and making sure that the subject be clear within the title.
They were also weighing whether to allow petitioners to file an initiated ordinance at any time, giving candidates more time to gather signatures and the measure would increase the timeframe of filling in a city council seat through a special election.
City Council decided to place the formal suggestion on the ballot after the issue was brought to them by the Ballot Access Modernization Committee, which was convened by Clerk and Recorder Paul D. López and Councilmember Kendra Black.
The goal of the committee was to update Denver's election policies and procedures. The group, composed of other city officials and community leaders, came up with several suggestions to alter and "modernize" the municipal code, including timeline changes and mandatory clarifications.
Black told the G.E.S. Gazette that multiple subjects "can be contradictory and confusing." Simplifying the initiative would make it easier for voters to understand what they're saying "yes" or "no" to.
