Today is Nov. 8, 2023, and here’s what you need to know:

Turnout lagged in Colorado’s off-year election with only two questions on the statewide ballot, though as clerks tallied the votes on Tuesday night, a few trends emerged as voters weighed in on a host of municipal and school board contests and local ballot measures.

Unsurprisingly, the marquee Proposition HH – the only statewide ballot question that drew significant attention – went down hard, losing by roughly 20 points in early, unofficial returns.

Referred to the November ballot by the Democratic-controlled legislature and backed by Gov. Jared Polis, the sweeping measure was mocked as a Rube Goldberg contraption that confused voters by promising to soften the blow on property tax increases by reducing Taxpayer Bill of Rights refunds while simultaneously redirecting funds to rental assistance and K-12 education, among numerous other provisions.

While Colorado shifted to solidly blue in all but a few statewide offices, voters took a dim view of the property tax measure the Democrats asked them to pass on Tuesday night.

Proposition HH, which Gov. Jared Polis championed, failed to garner support, the unofficial results showed. 

The measure trailed throughout the night, securing only 39% of some 1.1 million votes counted so far, according to the unofficial results. Those results indicate the measure succeeded in only six out of the state’s 64 counties.

The race for Aurora’s two at-large council seats remained too close to call on Tuesday, the unofficial returns showed.

Curtis Gardner and Alison Coombs were tied at 28% each, while Jono Scott and Thomas Mayes trailed in third and fourth places, respectively. 

Meanwhile, incumbent Francoise Bergan held a comfortable lead over challenger Brian Matise, 63.6% to 36.3%, for the Ward VI seat.

“I am proud to continue serving the City of Aurora and Southeast Aurora,” Bergan said. “We have a great city that we should be proud of. We just need to keep it safe and keep it pro-business, and we’re going to be pursuing economic development to make us the greatest city in the state of Colorado.”

Mike Coffman is poised to secure a second term as Aurora’s mayor.

Coffman is leading his challengers, Juan Marcano, a councilmember, and Jeffrey Sanford, by a wide margin after polls closed on Tuesday night, the unofficial results showed.

“This race was really about issues,” Cofffman said. “It was about a tough-on-crime approach. Everyone in this city has a right to live without fear of being victim to a crime.”

Denver voters appeared to have rejected two incumbent school board members who sought reelection, confirming deep public dissatisfaction with the district’s leadership that has been stewing for months.

In the District 1 race, challenger Kimberlee Sia led with 57% of the vote over Director Scott Baldermann, who held 44%, the unofficial tally showed. Baldermann is a software company owner.

Director Charmaine Lindsay, who represents District 5, is also behind, trailing Marlene De La Rosa 59% to 24%. Lindsay is a family law attorney.

The campaign for De La Rosa, a longtime district volunteer and advocate, claimed victory after the 8:30 p.m. results dump.

John Youngquist, a former East High School principal, won the at large seat held by outgoing Board Vice President Auon’tai M. Anderson, based on the unofficial tally released on Tuesday. 

Youngquist, who did not get the support of the local teachers’ union, led early and maintained that sizable advantage over his two competitors with 62% of the vote as of the 10 p.m. vote count.

“It’s a great start,” Youngquist said at his watch party at Bar38 in Denver.