Denver voters can expect to be asked to change the mechanics of three elected positions in May.

City officials are advancing two separate ballot questions that affect the seats of the Denver District Attorney and the two at-large City Council members.

The first would lengthen the term limit for the district attorney from two terms to three terms, making it the same as the mayor, council, auditor and clerk and recorder.

"It's an equity issue," said council president Michael Hancock, who is sponsoring the proposal.

"Right now, the DA is only permitted to serve two consecutive terms when everyone else is permitted to serve three," he said. "Secondly, this is one of those areas where having stable leadership . . . in office is important for consistency in law enforcement."

David Broadwell, an assistant city attorney, said that the district attorney is technically a state judicial officer, "but there's a provision in state law that allows for there to be a local option vote on term limits."

In 1994, the Colorado Constitution was amended to impose a two-term limit on all elected officials, he said. The amendment allowed a local vote to adjust term limit restrictions, Broadwell said.

Under the other proposed ballot question, the two at-large council members would be elected by a majority, not a plurality.

The top two vote-getters win the election under the existing system. The proposal would create an A seat and a B seat and require a runoff for at-large candidates who don't win by a majority.

Councilman Doug Linkhart, one of the at-large council members, is sponsoring the proposal, which Carol Boigon, the other at-large member, has endorsed.

"I've always been concerned that the way the seat is structured, that single-issue candidates could win rather than candidates who appeal to the majority," Linkhart said.

Linkhart's proposal would take effect in 2011 while Hancock's would take effect immediately. Both have to be approved by the council to appear on the ballot.

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099