Denver Council Proposes Instant Runoff Voting for Upcoming Elections

The Alternative Voting Methods Task Force Meeting, held by the League of Women Voters of Colorado on July 21, 2025, focused on significant proposals for changing election methods in Denver. The meeting highlighted two key election proposals aimed at enhancing voter choice and representation.

The first proposal discussed involves transitioning from the current single-winner, plurality voting system to an instant runoff voting (IRV) system for several municipal positions, including mayor, auditor, clerk, and district council members. Under this new system, voters would rank their preferences, allowing for a more comprehensive representation of voter intent. Council members Sarah Paradis and Daryl Watson are backing this initiative, which aims to improve the electoral process in Denver.

In contrast, the election of two at-large council members would remain under the existing plurality voting system until the Denver clerk is prepared to implement a multi-winner proportional ranked voting system. This detail, however, was not clearly stated in the draft ordinance, raising questions about the proposal's clarity and implementation timeline.

The meeting also addressed the campaign efforts surrounding these proposals. Landon, representing the campaign committee "Denver Deserves Democracy," noted that they have yet to file official reports or register as a campaign committee. Despite this, there is optimism stemming from Denver's previous support for instant runoff voting in a statewide proposition, which garnered 53% approval.

Outreach efforts to engage Latino and Black communities, as well as unions, are already underway, indicating a proactive approach to garnering support for the proposed changes. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the timeline for getting these proposals on the ballot, with the first reading scheduled for July 28 and the second reading on August 4.

Overall, the meeting underscored a concerted effort to reform Denver's voting methods, aiming to enhance democratic participation and representation in local elections. The next steps will be crucial as the proposals move closer to potential implementation.