Monday, June 02, 2008

2008 NM Primary: Find Your Polling Place Now for June 3rd Election

VoteposterDon't wait until Tuesday, June 3rd, and then get into a panic when the voting info phone lines and websites are jammed. If you live in Bernalillo County, visit at the website of the Bernalillo County Clerk, enter your address, and you'll get info on your polling place and a sample ballot.

Click here to find contact information for County Clerks in other counties, or Google your County Clerk's office to get a direct link to your Clerk's page. You can also enter your address at the Secretary of State's Voter View page to find your polling place anywhere in the state.

You must be registered as a Democrat to be able to vote in tomorrow's Democratic primary. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Early in-person voting is over, as is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot. If you previously requested and received an absentee ballot, you must return it to the County Clerk's office OR at your normal polling place no later than 7:00pm on Election Day, June 3rd. Ballots may be returned by the voter, the voter's caregiver, or a member of the voter's immediate family. It's too late to mail it, so you'll need to hand-deliver it. Do not take a completed absentee ballot to your polling place on election day or you will be required to complete a provisional ballot.

There is a new provision for a voter who has received an absentee ballot, but not turned it in, to vote provisionally instead. They might have lost or destroyed it, or just changed their mind about who to vote for since they got it. The voter goes to their polling place and fills out a form and votes provisionally. If the absentee ballot doesn't turn up, the provisional ballot should be counted.

For more sources of information about the election, candidates and voting, check the left-hand sidebar on the DFNM blog  where I've included a number of links under the heading of Voting Info.

See more posters created by Obey here.

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June 2, 2008 at 10:43 AM in Candidates & Races, Election Reform & Voting, Local Politics | Permalink | Comments (4)

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Action Alert: Bernalillo County Clerk Needs Election Day Help

A message from Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Bernalillo County Clerk:

The Primary Election is this coming Tuesday, June 3, and Bernalillo County is still in need of folks to serve as poll officials at sites throughout the county. We are still in need of folks to serve either as presiding judges or as clerks at a polling location. Usually we would require a training but in this case, at the last minute, we will place you in a location with folks who are already trained and will train you on the spot.

Compensation is $100 for the day. Day starts at 6 AM and polls close at 7 PM -- if you can give your day to do your civic duty and help out, please let me know! If you are able to serve, please call Channon with my office at 468-1221 or else call 468-1291 and select #4 for Poll Officials. Please also send this on to your contact lists or post on your blog if you are able. Thank you very much!

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June 1, 2008 at 04:56 PM in Election Reform & Voting, Local Politics | Permalink | Comments (3)

Saturday, May 31, 2008

New Mexico Voter Registration Statistics: Independents Post Largest Percentage Gain

According to an AP story, voters eligible to vote in Tuesday's primary election in New Mexico total about 898,000 -- 543,615 Democrats and 354,272 Republicans. Since the 2004 primary here, Republicans have managed a 14% increase in registration and Democrats made a 9% gain in voter registrations in the state. In addition:

Currently, Democrats account for half of the state's registered voters. That's down slightly from June 2004, when Democrats represented 52 percent of all registered voters.

Republicans represented a third of the state's voters when registration rolls closed earlier this month for the primary election. They were 32 percent in 2004.

The biggest gain in registration in the past four years occurred with people unaffiliated with a political party.

So-called independents—"declined to state" a party affiliation, as it is called in New Mexico—total 161,116, an increase of 32 percent since 2004. That continues a trend in which independents are growing as a share of New Mexico's electorate. Unaffiliated voters account for 15 percent of registration this year, up from 13 percent in the 2004 primary.

Other stats:

  • Total voter registration: 1.08 million, up 13% over 2004 primary
  • 13% registration increase in the Albuquerque-area NM-01 since 2004
  • 11% gain in NM-02 in southern New Mexico
  • 13% increase in NM-03 in northern New Mexico
  • Largest increase in voter registration: Sandoval County, including Rio Rancho, up 35%
  • Dona Ana County had a 24% increase
  • McKinley County, 19%
  • Bernalillo County, 17%
  • In 2004 primary, 187,821 Democrats, Republicans and Greens cast ballots, 23% of those registered and eligible to vote
  • In 2000 primary, 223,490 Democrats, Republicans and Greens voted -- 28% of those registered that year

What does all this mean in terms of Tuesday's results? We can only wait and see. One thing I know for sure is that the Dem Party at all levels, as well as the Dem campaigns, need to put a lot more energy and time into increasing registrations for the Fall election. I'm pumped because Barack Obama is making that one of his top priorties, all over the nation.

May 31, 2008 at 12:10 AM in Democratic Party, Election Reform & Voting, Republican Party | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Update on 2008 Primary Voting from Bernalillo County

UPDATE: To find your polling place anywhere in the state you can use the Secretary of State's VoterView page. Click here.
**********You can get all the latest information on voting in Bernalillo County in the June 3rd primary election in this update (doc) from the office of Maggie Toulouse Oliver, the Bernalillo County Clerk. Some excerpts:

Election Day Information - Polling Places and Sample Ballots: Election Day polling places and sample ballots are available online – electronically – through our “Where do I vote?” webpage. This page can be accessed through www.bernco.gov/clerk or .

Absentee Ballots as of May 25, 2008

  • Democratic Absentee Ballots:  7,260 Ballots Mailed/3,208 Ballots Returned
  • Republican Absentee Ballots:  8,019 Ballot Mailed/3,874 Ballots Returned

Early Voting Numbers as of May 25, 2008 (Click for open thru 5/31/08)

  • Democratic Early Voters:  3,723
  • Republican Early Voters:  3,114
  • Total Early Voters:  6,837

Need More Poll Workers
We are currently training  about 2,500 poll workers for Election Day on June 3, 2008. As is always the case, we need more poll workers! If you know of anyone who is willing to serve, please encourage them to contact our office at (505) 468-1291 or apply here.

We are over-recruiting for this election as we always have last minute cancellations. Poll workers will be required to attend a 2-hour training (pay $25 for the training) and be able to work from 6 AM until probably 8:30 – 9:00 PM on Election Day (pay is $100 for Election Day). Remember, qualifications for a poll worker are:

  • You must be a registered voter in Bernalillo County
  • You cannot be a candidate or related to any candidate on the ballot
  • You cannot be a law enforcement officer
  • You must be mentally and physically able to perform the assigned tasks
  • You must be able to attend one 2 hour training course prior to the election (our office will notify you of available times)

Other Help Needed
More folks are also needed for the Absentee Precinct Board (especially Republicans) and as Challengers, Watchers and Observers for Absentee, Early and Election Day voting. See the update for more information.

Deadline for Requesting Absentee Ballot: The last day to mail absentee ballots to voters who have an accepted application is May 30, 2008. Applications will be processed through May 29, 2008. All applications need to be received in the County Clerk’s office by May 29, 2008. 

Deadline for Returning Absentee Ballot: The County Clerk must receive all ballots by 7:00 PM on June 3rd, 2008. A voter, caregiver to that voter or member of that voter’s immediate family may mail their ballot to the office of the County Clerk or it can be delivered (sealed within the proper envelope) in person to the Clerk’s office at any time prior to 7:00 PM on June 3rd, 2008. A voter, caregiver to that voter or member of that voter’s immediate family may also deliver their ballot (sealed within the proper envelope) in person to their assigned polling place on June 3rd, 2008.

Other Counties
For information about voting in the June 3rd primary in other counties, contact your County Clerk.

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May 27, 2008 at 06:14 AM in Election Reform & Voting | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Video-David Iglesias on Darren White: "A Shoot from the Hip Kind of Lawman"; Also Disses Heather Wilson

Here's a blockbuster clip of New Mexico's former U.S. Attorney, David Iglesias, answering a question about Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White at a recent appearance at Bookworks in Albuquerque. Iglesias, a Republican, was discussing his new book, In Justice: Inside the Scandal That Rocked the Bush Administration. White, also a Republican, is running for Congress in NM-01.

Iglesias quotes from his book to describe White as "a shoot from the hip kind of lawman" who "shoots first, aims later." Iglesias also says,"I've been very disappointed in Darren. He doesn't understand his duties as a Sheriff. He put, and, this is what I'm very critical of people like [Alberto] Gonzales [as well], they put loyalty to their party at a higher level than their loyalty to the Constitution. Darren did the same thing. So I hope the voters understand that, come November."

He then discusses White's unprofessional behavior in pushing him to file voter fraud charges despite their being no evidence of such fraud in New Mexico.

George Bush is coming to Albuquerque on Tuesday, May 27th, for a big-ticket fundraiser to benefit Darren White's Congressional campaign and the New Mexico GOP. Could White be more joined at the hip to Bush and his administration's often unconstitutional or illegal actions related to the U.S. Justice Department? Never forget, White served as Bush's campaign chairman in Bernalillo County during the 2004 presidential race.

UPDATE: Also see an expanded clip of this exchange from the New Mexico Independent that includes Iglesias' criticism of Heather Wilson and her phone call pressuring him about issuing indictments in a political corruption case involving Democrats. Heather Wilson is battling Steve Pearce in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

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May 21, 2008 at 11:55 AM in 2008 NM Senate Race, Books, Election Reform & Voting, NM-01 Congressional Seat 2008, U.S. Attorney Iglesias | Permalink | Comments (3)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Early In-Person Voting at Satellite Locations Begins Today

Early In-Person Absentee Voting for New Mexico's June 3rd primary began on May 6th and continues through May 31 at the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office Annex in downtown Albuquerque – 620 Lomas, NW. The hours of operation for this location are as follows:

  • Monday May 19 – Friday May 23:         8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Monday May 26 – Friday May 30:         8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Saturday May 31:                             10:00am – 6:00pm

Early In-Person Voting at satellite locations throughout Bernalillo County begin today, Saturday, May 17th at the following locations:

Tijeras City Hall
12 Camino Municipal - Tijeras

Paradise Hills Community Center
5901 Paradise Blvd NW

Los Ranchos Villa
6601 4th St NW Suites A,B, C

Coors Plaza
3200 Coors NW Suite A

Integrity Plaza
1512 Wyoming NE Suites F&G

Plaza Paseo Del Norte
9231 Coors NW Suite R-8

Siesta Hills Shopping Center
5407 Gibson SE

Del Norte Shopping Center
7120 Wyoming NE Suite 16

Market Center East
11110 Lomas NE Suite E-4

98th & Central Shopping Center
120 98th St NW Suite B-5

Goff Plaza
1720 Bridge SW Suite G

Daskalos Shopping Center
5339 & 5339A Menaul NE

Juan Tabo Plaza
11012 Montgomery NE

CNM – South Valley Campus
5816 Isleta Blvd., SW

University of New Mexico
Student Union Building

The hours of operation for Early in Person voting at these satellite locations are as follows:

  • Saturday May 17:                           10:00am – 6:00pm
  • Tuesday May 20 – Friday May 23:    12:00pm – 8:00pm
  • Saturday May 24:                           10:00am – 6:00pm
  • Tuesday May 27 – Friday May 30:    12:00pm – 8:00pm
  • Saturday May 31:                           10:00am – 6:00pm

For more information on Early Voting for the June 3rd 2008 Primary Election, please visit the Bernalillo County Clerk’s website at https://www.bernco.gov/cler, or contact the Clerk’s Office at (505) 468.1291 or clerk@bernco.gov.

Voting by mail-in absentee ballot began on May 6, 2008. If you live in Bernalillo county, you can request a mail-in ballot by contacting the Bernalillo County Clerk as noted in the previous paragraph.

For information on early in-person voting and absentee mail-in ballot voting in other counties, contact your County Clerk. Click for a listing of contact information for all County Clerks in New Mexico.

To check if you are registered to vote, visit Voter View online or call your county clerk. Click for more information on registering to vote in New Mexico. Only those who registered as a Democrat or as a Republican by Tuesday, May 6, 2008 can participate in the June 3, 2008 primary election in New Mexico.

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May 17, 2008 at 01:30 PM in Election Reform & Voting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, May 05, 2008

Last Chance to Register to Vote for June 3rd Primary; Early Voting Begins

Register2voteIf you're not registered to vote in New Mexico, you have until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 to register if you want to vote in the June 3rd primary. You  must also be registered as a Democrat to vote in the Democratic primary. There have been some problems in the past with people thinking they were registered as Democrats only to find that they registered as Independents or undeclared as to political party.

You can see if you're registered by using the Voter View tool provided by the NM Secretary of State, but it doesn't tell you if you're registered under a political party or not. You have to contact your county clerk to check party affiliation on the your registration (or check the voter card that was sent to you). In Bernalillo County, call 468.1291. If you live in another county, get your County Clerk contact info here.

You can register to vote in person at your County Clerk's office. In Bernalillo County, that's at One Civic Plaza, NW in Albuquerque, 6th Floor.

Early Voting
Voting my mail-in absentee balloting starts on May 6th. You must request an absenttee ballot from your County Clerk. Early in-person voting also begins on May 6th at your County Clerk's office or, in Bernalillo County, at the County Clerk’s Office Annex in downtown Albuquerque – 620 Lomas, NW. The hours of operation for this location are as follows:

  • Tuesday May 6 – Friday May 9:            8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Monday May 12 – Friday May 16:         8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Monday May 19 – Friday May 23:         8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Monday May 26 – Friday May 30:         8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Saturday May 31:                             10:00am – 6:00pm

Starting on May 17th, residents of Bernalillo County will be able to vote early at 16 polling places throughout the county. Other counties will also be holding early voting at satellite locations. Check with your County Clerk.

Voters in the June 3rd primary in New Mexico will be choosing their preferred candidate for Congress and other races, depending on their location. Click for a listing of candidates provided by the New Mexico Secretary of State. Also see the Bernalillo County list of for additional candidates at the county level. In other counties, check with your County Clerk.

See our previous post for more information on early voting.

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May 5, 2008 at 09:35 AM in Candidates & Races, Democratic Party, Election Reform & Voting, Local Politics | Permalink | Comments (1)

RSVP Now: Obama Campaign Vote for Change Kickoff in ABQ on 5/10

National Voter Registration Drive

The Barack Obama campaign is launching its new 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive on May 10th at locations across the nation. In Albuquerque, Obama supporters will meet at the IBEW Union Hall at 4921 Alexander Blvd. NE (map) on Saturday, May 10, at 9:00 AM to kick off the Vote for Change effort in New Mexico.

Arrive a little before 9:00 AM for free coffee, juice, donuts, etc., and there will be voter registration training for those new to the process. Participants will fan out to do voter registration throughout the county. Anyone interested in participating may contact Ana Canales at alcanales@comcast.net or 515-9662, or click to RSVP for the event online.

Similar events will continue through the November election in all 50 states, including New Mexico. Recent voter registration drives organized by the Obama campaign have helped in gaining more than 200,000 new Democratic registrations in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana.

Michelleo2_2

Message from Michelle Obama about Vote for Change:

In every state across the country, there are thousands of qualified voters who are not registered to vote. Some believe their vote doesn't matter, some have been actively disenfranchised, and some have been overlooked or excluded by a broken system that has lost touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans. Barack and I entered this race because we believe there's a chance to change that.

From the beginning, our goal has been to reach out to people of all races, ages, and backgrounds and bring them back into the political process. We must use the rare opportunity we have right now to bring people together and make this a better country for all Americans. That's why I'm excited to announce a 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive we're calling Vote for Change.

Beginning with a nationwide kick-off on Saturday, May 10th, more than 100 Vote for Change events will take place in every state, organized by our dedicated volunteers who are leading this campaign for change in their own communities.

Sign up to get involved now:  https://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange

This campaign is about the change in all of us -- it's about demanding that we live in a different world and being ready to fight for the vision that we have for our children. And that starts with being engaged and engaging others. If you're reading this, you're already somewhat engaged in this campaign. But if your experience is anything like mine, you know at least 20 other people who are not engaged, who are not focused on politics, and who may not vote in November.

If we are going to change this country, the change must come from the bottom up. That means reaching out in your community, in your circle of friends, and even in your family. You can help get new people involved in the process so together we can finally solve the problems that this country faces. Join Vote for Change today and start registering and mobilizing voters.

Throughout this campaign, we've seen millions of Americans get involved who have never been interested in politics, never volunteered on a campaign, and many who have never even registered to vote before. And some of our greatest successes have been recent.

Voter registration drives organized and conducted by supporters like you have registered more than 200,000 new Democrats in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana. Those numbers just scratch the surface of what's possible.

And that's why Barack needs you. He needs regular folks, engaged not just with their dollars, but also with their energy. If you get involved with Vote for Change now, you can help equip enough people in this country with the tools necessary to bring about the kind of change we so desperately need.

Politics in this country can no longer be the way it's been: divided, isolated and cynical. We know in our hearts it can be so much better. We've already come this far, and this nation-wide voter registration and mobilization drive is the next step. Be a part of Vote for Change, bring move voices into the political process, and help America move toward a future filled with hope.

Donate

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May 5, 2008 at 08:24 AM in 2008 Presidential Primary, Election Reform & Voting, Events | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, May 02, 2008

Election Reform Groups Endorse Two NM Dem County Clerk Candidates

Paul Stokes announced at last night's DFA-DFNM Meetup that United Voters of New Mexico and Verified Voting New Mexico had endorsed Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Valerie Espinoza for the office of County Clerk in Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties, respectively.  Their accomplishments as the incumbents in these offices and their detailed and thorough responses to our questionnaire on current election issues fully reflect their dedication that votes be counted exactly as they are cast and that New Mexicans must have full confidence in the trustworthiness of our elections.

Maggie and Valerie have been strong supporters of the key election reforms that have been adopted in New Mexico, and they are open to further reforms that will increase confidence in our elections.  We can be proud to have these dedicated leaders as county clerks in these important counties.

United Voters of New Mexico and Verified Voting New Mexico are coalitions of organizations and individuals concerned with strengthening the accuracy, accountability and transparency of our election process.

Paul Stokes
United Voters of New Mexico

Robert Stearns
Verified Voting New Mexico

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May 2, 2008 at 12:15 PM in 2008 Bernalillo County Elections, 2008 Santa Fe County Elections, Election Reform & Voting | Permalink | Comments (0)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

ABQ Voter Registration This Weekend at San Pedro Library

From Michelle Meaders, Ward 19A:
Our Democratic Ward 19A is doing a Voter Registration Drive on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, at the San Pedro Library, at San Pedro and Trumbull SE. The hours of the drive are 10 AM to 4 PM both days. We will register and re-register anyone eligible, of course, but will be encouraging people to declare a major party so they can vote in the New Mexico Primary on June 3. The registration cutoff date for this Primary is Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

In this election, we will be voting for candidates for Congress, the Legislature, County offices, and Judges. (The Democratic Presidential candidates will not be on the ballot, since they were voted on at the Democratic Caucus in February. The Republican Presidential candidate's names will be there, but they already have a nominee.)

Voters need to understand that if they register as "DTS" under Party or it says "DTS" on their present voter card, it means "Declined to State," not an actual party. Only those registered as Democrats or Republicans can vote in the June 3rd, 2008 Primary.

San Pedro Library
5600 Trumbull SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
505-256-2067

Note: You can usually pick up a voter registration form at any public library, in addition to the County Clerk's office. You should call the library to double check before you go. Click for a list of libraries in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, as well as their locations and contact info.

Also see our previous post on registration and voting in the June 3, 2008 primary, including info on early in-person and mail-in ballot options.

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April 12, 2008 at 11:40 AM in Democratic Party, Election Reform & Voting | Permalink | Comments (0)