Denver Clerk & Recorder says 2026 Budget Proposal Would Gut Elections

Denver Clerk & Recorder says 2026 Budget Proposal Would Gut Elections

Published on September 16, 2025

Tuesday-Sept. 16, 2025 - DENVER - Denver Clerk & Recorder Paul López today warned that Mayor Mike Johnston's proposed 2026 budget would severely undermine Denver's nationally recognized election system, reducing voter access and disenfranchising thousands of Denverites in next year's high-turnout primary and general elections.

"Mayor Johnston said his cuts would not touch critical services," Clerk López said. "That is simply not accurate. These cuts would decimate voter services, jeopardize turnout, and disenfranchise Denver voters."

Yesterday, Mayor Johnston unveiled his 2026 budget proposal, which underfunds the Clerk & Recorder's Office by $4.5 million required to run two high turnout elections in 2026. The impact on elections would be severe:

• Polling Centers & Drop Boxes
• • Primary Election 2026: Closure of 12 polling centers (from 17 to just 5) and 8 drop boxes (from 46 to 38)
  • General Election 2026: Closure of 1 polling center (from 39 to 38) and 8 drop boxes (from 46 to 38)
• Staffing Cuts: One-third fewer election judges to staff the remaining polling centers.
• Eliminations: All 9 drive-through ballot drop-offs and all but one voter coach location (only Emily Griffith required by law)
• Processing Delays: Fewer staff and sites will lead to slower ballot processing, longer lines, and delayed results

"These are not optional services - they are voters' rights," Clerk López said. "We're not asking for extras; we're asking for the funding required by law to administer safe, fair, and accessible elections."

Clerk López emphasized that Denver's City Charter vests all election authority and required resources with the independently elected Clerk & Recorder - not the Mayor.

"It is an absolute overreach and violation of the Charter for the Mayor to attempt to dictate my office's needs," López said. "The people of Denver made it clear that elections are to be run independently of a mayor's agenda. These choices reflect priorities," López said. "Now is not the time to defund democracy."

In 2026, Denver must conduct both a state primary and a general mid-term election, each expected to draw record turnout. Currently, some of the challenges driving up costs to run elections over the past four years include:

• A 9% increase in registered voters in Denver
• A 22% increase in the minimum wage
• A 30%+ increase in printing and mailing costs

"You can't run more elections with fewer resources," López said. "Fully funding the Clerk & Recorder's Office is not about politics - it's about protecting democracy."

• Clerk and Recorder
• Elections