Vote, Baby. Vote.: Here’s How I Voted in the 2017 Denver Elections
Denver! Ballots are due by Tuesday, November 7th at 7pm. So far, voter turnout has been abysmal. Can we really allow a small percentage of our population to make the decisions as to how $937 million of our future money as a city is spent? I don't think so. We can do better!
Since many of you asked (and I'm so happy that you did!) what I think about the 2017 ballot, I wanted to share my reasoning for how/why I'm voting -- still, I encourage you to seek out sources for additional information so YOU can make the informed decisions that best represent your own views. Below my voting information, I’ve included some resources to guide you! ***I'm also not interested in debating:) This is how I voted and I encourage you to make your own decisions*** (p.s. I dunno if it needs to be said but these are MY views, not the views of any organization, group or business I may do work with or represent outside of social media, etc.) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE VOTE. These elections are important and will have an impact on your life in Denver for generations to come. We are always talking about what is happening to this city and you actually have a chance to do something about it!
On twitter? let me know you voted and I will retweet you! @cocodavies
HOW TO VOTE:
You should have gotten a ballot in the mail. After you fill it out, go to
the Secretary of State’s website to find out where the nearest ballot drop-off is located.
It's super easy! Just put your address into the box marked "Where do I vote or drop off my ballot?" and it will tell you where the closest location is.
Please drop your ballot ON OR BEFORE 7p.m. on Tuesday, November 7th!
Here goes, in order of how issues appear on the ballot:
Denver Public Schools Director At-Large:
Maybe you're like me and don't have kids in DPS. Maybe you have kids but they go to private schools. Neither of these things matter -- YOU NEED TO HAVE A SAY IN WHO LEADS DPS.
Why? DPS is one of the largest employers in the state. The health of our public schools is often a good indicator of the health of our neighborhoods. Also, hi. Children are the literal future. We need them to have equitable access to all of the tools, resources and experiences they need to become great humans.
My vote is for: Julie Bañuelos
I'll let Julie say why:
"During my 15+ years with DPS, I’ve worked mostly with communities of color with large constituents of immigrants, students and families of English Language Learners – groups to whom I am still tied and who are most impacted by passionate teachers that invest not just their time, but also their souls to these academic and personal relationships."
Enough said. I was sold. Julie’s career has been equity-focused and she’s been on the ground working with the populations she will be serving. We need more people like Julie in office.
(NOTE: If you have an open seat in your district for school board, please see A+ Colorado's breakdown of each candidate on their website! I have a link below.)
Ok, so- The GO Bond:
Here's the "nobody reads paragraphs just gimme the votes" version:
2A- No
2B- No
2C- No
2D- No
2E- Yes
2F- Yes
2G- No
2H- Yes
I-300- Yes
::::::::::::::::And here's the blowhard version of my votes:::::::::::::::::
GO Bond: some thoughts
This was tough. I am beyond disappointed that not a drop of money could have been set aside for affordable housing. That, and I was also inundated with materials from the city pushing me to vote yes on all measures; in fact, the city spent $2.4 MILLION on the campaign to push this through, a campaign that was unopposed, by the way, so they technically could have spent nothing. (I'm also including a link below to all of the donors who contributed to this campaign, because they will no doubt be donating to Hancock's re-election campaign, so get ready for that nightmare.)
My burning question with the GO Bond as a whole: With all of these "improvements" promised to be made with almost a billion of our future tax dollars, will we be subsidizing our own displacement? Will these improvements only accelerate gentrification? I don't have a crystal ball. I can't tell. But I am skeptical.
I also straight up do not trust the current administration or city council with $937 million. We have multiple multi-billion dollar "shiny object" projects in the works already- the I-70 environmentally racist nightmare, the National Western
None of these projects have the most vulnerable people they will be negatively impacting in mind. I am scared for my city and our people. Money is seemingly everywhere, but we are losing our foundational folks because they cannot afford the basic necessities anymore.
2A- Denver Transportation & Mobility System Bonds - No.
I have no doubt this will pass. It doesn't need my vote to pass. But the refusal to consider housing as a part of the $431 million transit alone is unbelievable to me. I also don't trust that these projects will necessarily be fulfilled and I worry that those neighborhoods that need basics like sidewalks and safe crossings may never see them. I love you, transit lobby, and know you mean well. I wish you the best. You’ll be fine.
2B- Denver Cultural Facilities Bonds - No.
I know, you're thinking, like, what? Bree, you love arts & culture! You're an advocate for artists and the institutions that make our arts scene great! I'm all for supporting any entity that creates opportunities for folks to see/participate/experience/make art. But guess what?
We already passed the SCFD tax - that tax FUNDS THESE INSTITUTIONS. The large organizations (think the Denver Zoo, the DMNS, Botanic Gardens, the DAM, DCPA) get their own dang tax. They also have large donor bases. They also have marketing departments and funding streams small non-profits on the ground doing the hard work do not.
Until our smaller organizations get the funding they deserve, these cultural behemoths can take care of themselves.
2C - Denver Health and Hospital Authority Bonds- No.
It comes down to a total lack of trust in the finds actually being spent on these things promised. Shout out to Candi CdeBaca for her research on this one. I've linked her own voter guide below. Please read her POV on all of these issues.
2D- Denver Public Safety System Bonds - No.
It sucks that they lump fire stations in with police stations because I would have voted yes on this otherwise. But- fuck the police. Fuck the police state. Dismantle the system. No money to support a racist, classist unjust "justice" system.
2E- Denver Library System Bonds - Yes.
The library takes better care of our people than our government does (just see how they are taking an empathetic approach to the opioid crisis and our folks experiencing homelessness.) Libraries are *thankfully* hotbeds of radical liberalism and I love everything they do for our world. Knowledge is power. Librarians save lives.
2F- Denver Parks & Recreation System Bonds - Yes.
This was a toughie, ONLY because this is one of those instances where I am concerned we will be subsidizing displacement. When we make improvements to long neglected areas of the city, they often become flags for land-owners to wave to attract gentrification.
If Westwood finally gets its long-deserved rec center, will the folks/families who live there now get to see it come to fruition in five years? My friends working in land trust operations and food access say yes, our people will get to stay. I trust they are right because they work directly with the people.
I do not want to see what happened to the Northside happen to the Westside.
2G- Denver Public Facilities System Bonds - No.
I again referred to Candi on this one. She says the allotment of money is too vague and that's enough for me. Again, a lack of trust in our current administration is having a huge impact on how I'm voting -- which is a bummer, because they have so many tools at their disposal to make this city a more equitable place for all. Money just isn't the only tool.
Beyond the Bond:
Referred Question 2H- Yes.
I can only assume (hope?) adding more board members to an entity of this size will bring more voices to the table.
I-300- The Green Roof Initiative- Yes.
This requires builders to put money into investing in our future. It is a step toward an actually greener city. It was opposed by our mayor, which is disheartening. I believe that he is ok with spending our money as a city, but when builders are asked to put more money toward a better Denver, he's not interested in asking for that. Who he stands with says a lot about who he cares about.
Also, this was a citizen-led campaign. This is how much people care about a healthy future for Denver. (A link to the Green Roof Initiative is below, if you want a detailed explanation of what, exactly, the initiative will do, if passed.)
Resources:
Please, take a few minutes to read about each ballot issue so you can feel confident in the choices you make for the city of Denver. I’ve compiled a list of places I found good information to help me make my choices: In Denver’s at-large school board race, a familiar face and two challengers who want change via Melanie Asmar at Chalkbeat A+ Colorado's 2017 Denver Public Schools – School Board Candidate Survey GO? Or No GO?: A 2017 Denver Election Guide by Candi CdeBaca via Project VOYCE Your Denver 2017 Election Guide: What you need to know about ballot measures and school board candidates - via Erica Meltzer at Denverite Denver 2017 election guide: A $937 million bond package and the Green Roof Initiative are on the ballot via Jon Murray at The Denver Post A line-by-line look at the Mayor's recommended investments (where the GO Bond money is supposed to go if it all passes) Green Roof Initiative's breakdown of their proposal Ballotpedia’s breakdown of each measure And if you’re interested, here’s the campaign finance report for the entities/companies/people donated (to an unopposed campaign) Denver, please. Please vote.
xo b
