Denver election officials reconvened late Wednesday morning to resume counting ballots, with the possible decriminalization of psychedelic mushrooms still to be decided.
Denver Elections officials expect a record turnout of about 185,000 votes. As of 8:30 a.m., about three-quarters of those ballots were counted. Final unofficial results are expected later Wednesday.
When the city stopped counting overnight, there were 68,711 votes in favor of Initiative 301 and 73,450 votes in opposition, a difference of 3.4 percentage points. If it passes, psychedelic mushrooms will remain illegal but enforcement of their prohibition would become a low priority for Denver Police. (Update: In final unofficial results, Initiative 301 gained and was passing narrowly.)
Election Day voters closed the gap Tuesday night, making passage more likely than it appeared earlier in the evening. The initiative would have to take roughly 55 percent of the remaining votes to win.
Wednesday’s results are not expected to change the outcome of the premier race on the ballot: Mayor Michael Hancock and challenger Jamie Giellis appear headed for a June 4 runoff election after finishing first and second, respectively, in a six-candidate field Tuesday.
Three members of the Denver City Council are on track for their own runoffs in districts where development concerns have played large. Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman is headed for a runoff with Amanda Sawyer in District 5; the incumbent trailed in early results. Councilman Albus Brooks appears set for a runoff with Candi CdeBaca in District 9. Also, Councilman Wayne New is looking at a runoff with Chris Hinds.
The two open council seats — Districts 1 and 3 in northwest and west Denver — also are headed for runoffs. In District 1, former council aide Amanda Sandoval and firefighter Mike Somma are the apparent contenders.
In District 3, it’s likely to be Veronica Barela, former president of the NEWSED Community Development Corporation, and Jamie Torres, director of the city’s Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs.
At-large council members Debbie Ortega and Robin Kniech both appeared to retain their seats.
Initiative 300, which would have overturned the urban camping ban, appears dead, regardless of what happens Wednesday. It has 17 percent of the vote heading into Wednesday afternoon.
