League sets up voter help desks at Barnum center

The League of Women Voters of Denver and Just Vote Colorado opened a support station at Barnum Recreation Center on Monday afternoon. The location serves as a polling place for the final hours before Election Day. Volunteers greeted voters as they arrived to cast ballots or drop off mail-in envelopes.

Pearlanne Zelarney, director of communications for the League, said the group is following up on its 'voting as people power' campaign. She noted that while many residents voted early, a large portion of the electorate has not yet participated. The staff aimed to ensure voters felt comfortable using the on-site tent or entering the main polling center.

Zelarney identified the Barnum neighborhood as a priority area for outreach. The organization focuses its resources on specific communities to encourage active participation in government. The station provided a direct point of contact for residents needing assistance with the voting process.

Justina Marrero Rodriguez arrived at the site while the League was setting up equipment. She cited the current political climate as her primary motivation for voting. Marrero Rodriguez, who has lived in various places with different cultural backgrounds, emphasized the importance of the community making its voice heard.

She stated that working together is necessary to navigate current life challenges. For Marrero Rodriguez, the act of voting represents a way for the local community to come together and express its collective opinion on ongoing issues.

Deena Larsen, a voter and poll watcher, also explained her reasons for participating. A retired climate change technical writer with 30 years of experience, Larsen returned to the United States to monitor the process and vote. She described the country as being in crisis and facing a precipice of issues.

The League of Women Voters of Denver plans to host another Voter Support Station on Tuesday, November 3. That event will run from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Denver Public Library Plaza. The address is 10 W. Fourteenth Ave. Pkwy. in Denver.