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Q&A
Discussion on Boulder's move to even-year elections and potential cost savings
0:55:54
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138 sec
Commissioner Diane Savino questions Eric Budd about the impact of moving to even-year elections in Boulder, Colorado.
Budd clarifies that Boulder's first even-year election will be in 2026, but he anticipates a significant turnout increase, from around 50% in the 2023 municipal election to an expected 75-80% in 2026, based on the 83% turnout in the 2024 presidential year. Savino also raises the point about potential cost savings from consolidating elections, which Budd notes is dependent on specific state and city contexts, as Colorado will still hold some odd-year elections for ballot measures.
Diane Savino
0:55:54
I I think just one one question for the for the gentleman from Colorado.
0:55:59
So you moved to even year elections.
0:56:01
Hasn't increased voter participation and turnout in a meaningful way?
0:56:06
If you have do
Sharon Greenberger
0:56:10
Eric, that's a question for you.
0:56:11
Has moving towards to even years increased participation?
Eric Budd
0:56:17
Oh, thank you.
0:56:18
I couldn't unmute.
0:56:21
Well, we are we voted on this issue in 2022.
0:56:25
And, as mister Weinberg previously mentioned that there are a couple of implementations in, how long it takes to implement this.
0:56:34
So Right.
0:56:35
Our first even year election is actually in 2026.
0:56:40
So I'm I'm very familiar with the the turnout in even years versus odd years.
0:56:46
To give you an example, the turnout in the city of Boulder in 2024, was about 83%, whereas the previous election in 2023 for municipal election was about 50%.
0:57:03
So we do expect, a significant increase in participation in our in our election in 2026, which being an even year off presidential election should be in the range of, 75 to 80%.
Diane Savino
0:57:22
Mhmm.
0:57:23
And and interesting.
0:57:24
None of you mentioned the potential savings to to state and local governments by consolidating elections into, the even year so you eliminate the constant election cycles.
0:57:36
You don't have I mean, because I haven't heard anybody talk about that.
0:57:39
There has to be some valuation of of the savings.
Eric Budd
0:57:43
Yeah.
0:57:44
And I I think that, that's really dependent, on a state to state and city to city basis.
0:57:51
So it really depends on whether or not there will be fewer elections.
0:57:56
In some states, that will be the case.
0:57:58
In Colorado, we will still have elections in the November of odd years.
0:58:04
Those elections will largely be, only for state and local ballot measures as opposed to candidates.