New Mexico
Ballot box security remains priority for officials and law enforcement across New Mexico
New Mexico officials vow to keep ballot boxes safe throughout the state after recent attacks elsewhere.
RIO RANCHO, N.M. — There was growing concern Tuesday over election safety as police in Oregon and Washington were investigating fires at multiple ballot drop boxes, and no matter how or when you vote you want to know your decision is safe and counted.
Because of the fires in Oregon and Washington potentially hundreds of ballots were affected.
The incidents even caused New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver to issue a statement re-assuring voters that their ballots are safe here.
Every ballot box in New Mexico is monitored with 24-7 video surveillance, the Sandoval County Clerk’s office said, and in the county the three ballot drop boxes are kept locked all day until an approved election bureau worker picks them up.
The boxes are emptied once a day at close of business, and the Sandoval County Chief Deputy Clerk gave KOB a run through of what happens to absentee ballots after you drop it off in a ballot box.
“Our messengers will pick up the ballot boxes, or the ballots from the boxes they come in here, and they go into phase one, which is basically reviewing the social security last four of the social make sure that signatures are affixed to the absentee ballot. And then it goes in. Goes into phase two, where we do a chain of custody from the clerk’s office to the absentee board. And then they go through their phases. Once the board takes possession of the ballot,” Joey Dominguez said.
Every ballot is processed by hand in batches of 50 in Sandoval County and kept locked in a secure locker at the election bureau he said.
That office is patrolled by a 24-hour rotation of Sandoval County Sheriff’s deputies.
The ballot drop boxes are not fire retardant but with the help of law enforcement, they’re kept secure and monitored constantly said Dominguez.
The Sheriff’s Office said it’s preparing for anything.
“As far as having response teams, we went ahead and created that as well. So that should we have any incidents that occur, we have some of our response teams, our tactical unit on standby,” Lt. John Castaneda Sandoval said.
Absentee/mail in ballots should be mailed back to your county clerk no later than October 29 to make sure they arrive on time.
So, if you missed the mail in deadline today you can still drop them off at any polling location or a ballot drop box before 7 p.m. on election day.
Polling locations in Sandoval County and Bernalillo County can be found by clicking on those links.
Josh’s Saturday Night Forecast
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Calmer weather has moved back into the state this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly warmer across northwestern New Mexico, while southeastern areas are cooler thanks to the backdoor cold fronts that moved in on Friday. Breezier winds will return Sunday and will help kick off a warming trend across the state, along with an elevated fire threat in eastern New Mexico.
Warmer weather will continue building in across the state throughout the upcoming week. A few isolated rain chances will return Monday in parts of New Mexico, but some of that rain may evaporate before reaching the ground.
Good morning!
Heading out the door this morning? Bundle up! Cold air has settled into the Land of Enchantment after two cold fronts passed through New Mexico within the last 24 hours. Temperatures have fallen to the teens, 20s and 30s throughout northern New Mexico. The metro area is just as cold with Moriarty falling to the teens and several other cities bottoming out near the freezing point. The National Weather Service (NWS) has Freeze Warnings in place until 9 a.m. for several locations in northern and central New Mexico. However, one of the aforementioned cold fronts is still moving through eastern New Mexico this morning. That back door cold front has brought 30-45 mph wind gusts, or more, in southeastern New Mexico. The front will push west further west this morning bringing breezy winds to far south and southwestern New Mexico this afternoon. Otherwise, much calmer weather will be on tap for the state compared to the majority of this week.
The colder air this morning will bring cooler and seasonable weather to the Land of Enchantment later on Saturday. Afternoon highs will range from the high 50s, in sections of the northern mountains, to the 70s in southern New Mexico. Throughout the weekend into early next week a warming trend is expected as a ridge of high pressure builds on Sunday, which is forecasted to last through at least Tuesday. By next Tuesday, high temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal, and even warmer for some locations by next Wednesday with breezy conditions returning to the state.
Moisture does stream back into the state early next week across New Mexico. Tomorrow’s forecast is expected to have cloud coverage increase with warmer weather. On Monday sufficient moisture in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere will bring the chance for showers; however, moisture levels toward the surface will be lower. That will also bring the chance for dry showers and thunderstorms throughout the state. Have a great weekend and stay warm this morning!
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico man has taken a plea deal for his role in the death of a three-year-old girl more than two years ago. Police said that Kerri Santos brought her toddler to University of New Mexico Hospital, claiming that she fell and hurt herself. Medical staff determined the child was already dead when she arrived, and noticed signs of abuse, including evidence that she had been tied up. Police said that Santos and three others were staying at James Welch’s home when the abuse took place.
On Friday, Welch pleaded no contest to three counts of child abuse and tampering with evidence. He faces up to five years behind bars.
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