For the upcoming June 6 run-off election, two candidates are vying for the title of Denver Mayor. In the April 4 election, over a dozen candidates ran for the position. In the general municipal election, college-age voters made up the smallest demographic of returned ballots. Denver’s mayor is ranked among the most powerful mayors in the country, giving whoever wins this election a lot of say over the city that we call home for 33 weeks of the year (or more).  

Since 75% of DU students moved to Colorado from another state, many don’t know that they have the right to vote in their Colorado community. To be eligible to vote in the Denver run-off election, you just need to meet the following requirements: be a U.S. citizen, be at least 18 years old by June 6, 2023, live within the city and county of Denver and have lived in Denver for at least 22 days before Election Day, June 6. If you meet these requirements, get out and vote by 7:00 p.m. on June 6.

FYI: It’s also never too late to register to vote in Colorado. You can register to vote (and vote) at any Voter Service Center in the county through 7 p.m. on Election Day—just be sure to bring an I.D. with you (your student I.D. works). The closest Voter Service Center to DU is the Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, located at 550 E Iliff Avenue. But this location, and many of the other Voter Service Centers, do not open until May 30. Looking to just drop off your ballot? There are drop boxes located throughout the city, including one on DU’s campus on the north side of the Ritchie Center. 

Still have questions? Find out where you can vote in person (or drop your ballot off), and what your ballot will look like. Oh, and yes, the City of Denver and County of Denver are in the same jurisdiction. 

The fact of the matter is if you live in Denver, have a job in Denver, pay your taxes here and in general are impacted by what happens in our community, your vote is your voice. Use it by June 6 at 7:00 p.m.