Is Denver feeling indecisive or is this runoff situation normal for municipal elections?
In the runoff election against Chris Romer, a state senator and former Governor Roy Romer’s son, Hancock pulled ahead with 58 percent of the vote. “He was not the first round winner,” says Paul Teske, School of Public Affairs Dean at the University of Colorado Denver. “He ended up winning fairly easily.” Similarly, Teske points out that former mayors Wellington Webb and Federico Peña both faced runoffs as incumbents and won (in 1995 and 1987, respectively).
Turnout was higher for the May 7 contest, with approximately 39 percent of voters returning ballots, than in the 2015 or 2011 general municipal elections. Teske says that a number of factors impact turnout, but highlights mailed ballots as one reason for the increase.
“The dynamics change, I think, in the second round,” Teske says “The stakes are higher; it’s less confusing.”
In short: Denver, it’s time to make up your mind.
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