The method of voting that Denver will use in next year's presidential election hasn't been decided, but one thing is for sure - it won't be by mail.

"By law, in a partisan election, you have to have in-person voting," said Alton Dillard, a spokesman for the Elections Division of the Clerk and Recorder's Office.

"There's no chance of mail in 2008," he said Monday.

Dillard said Denver is considering at least three voting models: traditional precinct-based polling places, vote centers or superprecincts, which combines multiple precincts in one location.

Clerk and Recorder Stephanie O'Malley, who announced a new elections director on Monday, said she hasn't decided which model of voting to use next year.

"We're looking at costs associated with each of the type of models," she said. "That's where I am in this process. Just trying to get a true and accurate assessment of costs associated with each type of model that's available to use in August and November 2008."

Michael Scarpello, the new elections director, said he had no preferences "at this point."

"I'm coming into this with a complete open mind," he said.

"The prudent thing to do at this point is to study the situation and work with all the stakeholders and decide what the best course of action for 2008 should be," he added.

Voters in Denver have been voting by mail since the January special election.

The city switched to voting by mail after last November's election, which was plagued by long lines.

An estimated 18,000 to 20,000 voters walked away from vote centers without casting a ballot.

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099