DENVER — The city's June 4 election included a runoff between incumbent Michael Hancock and challenger Jamie Giellis for Denver's next mayor, the "Let Denver Vote" Initiative 302, runoffs for council seats for districts 1, 3, 5, 9 and 10, and clerk and recorder.
Polls closed at 7 p.m., with 34.84% of voters turning out as of 1:40 a.m., Wednesday according to the city.
Results remain unofficial until the election certification on June 13. Preliminary results posted below are as of 12:45 p.m., Wednesday. Find the latest numbers on Denver's election site.
Mayoral runoff
Hancock, a two-term incumbent, failed to win the 50% plus one vote needed to win — instead garnering about 39% of the vote — is the first incumbent mayor forced to a runoff election since 1995.
Preliminary results from the May 7 election show Hancock received 38.65% of the vote to Giellis’ 24.88%. Lisa Calderon, who was in third with 18.45%, and Penfield Tate III, who was in fourth with 14.73%, both threw their support behind Giellis against Hancock.
JUNE 4 RUNOFF RESULTS:
Michael Hancock: 56.32%
Jamie Giellis: Conceded (Jamie Giellis concedes runoff election)
(162,409 votes counted as of 12:45 p.m. Wednesday)
Initiative 302
The ordinance's text sums up what "Let Denver Vote" is all about (emphasis ours):
"The city and county of Denver may not appropriate, expend, guarantee, or otherwise use, directly or indirectly any public monies or resources for the purpose of bidding for, aiding, or furthering an Olympic Games or any event thereof without seeking and receiving prior voter approval from the registered electors of the city and county of Denver at a regularly scheduled municipal election or special election."
Yes: 79.26% (Initiative will pass, projects 9NEWS political expert Floyd Ciruli )
No: 20.73%
(149,695 votes counted as of 12:45 p.m. Wednesday)
RELATED: Denver says yes to Initiative 302
Clerk and recorder
Paul López: 50.11%
Lopez declared victory Wednesday. In an emailed statement he said:
“Thanks to the people of Denver, their passion and hard work, I'm overjoyed to report that the final uncertified results show we have won our race for Clerk and Recorder.
The vote margin in this race will likely trigger an automatic recount. We will respect this process and ensure that every vote is counted and every voice is heard. Our team fully expects the official tally to reflect the results we saw this afternoon.
Earning your confidence to lead this office is the honor of a lifetime, and I can't wait to continue our work for the people of Denver. Every vote counts.”
Peg Perl: 49.89%
(144,495 votes as of 12:45 p.m. Wednesday)
López and Perl emerged from the first round of spring Denver municipal elections held on May 7, according to Colorado Politics, as the top two vote-getters for the office, with Lopez garnering 36.9% of the vote and Perl earning 32.7%.
Since none of the candidates earned a clear majority — at least 50% of the vote — a runoff is required.
City Council seats
Denver voters are deciding five races for seats on the City Council. Two of those seats are open, and in the other three races, incumbents face challengers.
The other eight of the council's 13 seats were filled in Denver's May 7 general election night, but five seats representing various parts of the city are at play in the runoff. (If you don't live in one of those five districts, you won't see a council race on your ballot.) Read more from Colorado Politics.
RESULTS AS OF 12:45 P.M. Wednesday
DISTRICT 1
Amanda Sandoval: 66.60%
Mike Somma: 33.40%
DISTRICT 3
Jamie Torres: 57.35%
Veronica Barela: 42.65%
DISTRICT 5
Amanda Sawyer: 58.15%
Mary Beth Susman: Conceded
DISTRICT 9
Albus Brooks: Conceded
Candi CdeBaca: 52.44%
DISTRICT 10
Wayne New: 46.59%
Chris Hinds: 53.41%