New Mexico
New Mexico election officials promote guide to guard against voter intimidation • Source New Mexico
New Mexico’s election officials reminded voters Thursday that state and federal law protect their right to cast their ballots safely and free from intimidation.
The New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office and the New Mexico Department of Justice on Thursday morning published their updated General Election Voter Information Resource Guide, a week after early voting began statewide.
The guide contains dates and deadlines for the general election, for which voting concludes Nov. 5; information about in-person, mail-in or absentee voting; and who is or isn’t allowed at the polls.
“Clear, accessible voting information is key to boosting voter confidence and participation,” said Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat. “By teaming up with the New Mexico Department of Justice on this voter information resource guide, we’re making sure New Mexicans know all the ways to cast their ballot and the robust safeguards protecting their rights, their vote, and our election process.”
One of the most significant updates in the guide from previous years is a new prohibition on openly carrying firearms at polling places. In March, New Mexico joined at least 21 other states that ban guns where people vote.
Fearing political violence, more states ban firearms at polling places
The new law was inspired in part by Santa Fe poll workers, who faced harassment by people openly carrying firearms during the 2020 presidential election, Rep. Reena Szczepanski (D-Albuquerque) told Source NM partner publication Stateline, for a March story.
“Our national climate is increasingly polarized,” Szczepanski, one of the bill’s sponsors, told Stateline. “Anything we can do to turn the temperature down and allow for the safe operation of our very basic democratic right, voting, is critical.”
The guide asks the public to call the Secretary of State’s Voter Hotline if anyone interferes with their vote through threats, intimidation, or coercion, or if they become aware of any interference with others’ right to vote. That number to call is 1-800-477-3632.
“Ensuring every New Mexican can exercise their right to vote freely and without fear is one of our top priorities,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “This guide provides the critical information voters need to understand their rights, and it reinforces our commitment to protecting those rights from any form of interference or intimidation.”
The guide urges people to use trusted sources for voting information, including the Secretary of State’s Office and the 33 county clerks across the state.
“Be wary of misinformation being promoted or repeated by varying sources on television, online, or on social media,” the guide states.
It also includes information about hotlines to call with voting concerns, disabled voters, and ballot drop boxes, along the roles of election board members, precinct judges, challengers, watchers, media and police, said Alex Curtas, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s Office.
The Secretary of State’s Office usually publishes similar advisories for every presidential election, Curtas said in an interview. The new one follows the same format as the last one published in 2022, he said.
You can find a copy of the 11-page guide below.
2024 Voter Information Resource Guide
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A local business owner estimates he suffered about $1 million in damages as the result of yet another fire at a South Valley recycling plant.
Town Recycling on Broadway Blvd. SE has witnessed two fires in a span of less than two weeks with the first happening May 23rd and the second occurring Tuesday of this week.
Khalil Samaha, who owns Samcar, Inc. and Cedar’s Construction next door, says his businesses escaped without serious damage from the first fire, but the second one led to the loss of his main building, inventory he sells including trucks, construction equipment, computers, records, and much more.
“It’s a total mess. Everything is on the ground with water and insulation. It’s a total loss,” he said.
He gave KOB 4 a tour of his damaged property Wednesday and says that county officials have condemned the main office and won’t let him back inside.
“You can see all the glass is popped,” he said pointing to the windows. “I don’t know if the firefighters broke them or they exploded.”
A spokesperson for Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue issued a statement saying that, based on witness accounts, both fires may have started in a “bale of cardboard” at the recycling facility.
As of Wednesday evening, Broadway between Prosperity and Rio Bravo remained closed.
Samaha says firefighters attempted to battle the second fire from a different area than the first and the wind may have made conditions tougher.
“This time, the wind didn’t help,” he said. “So, it was blowing in my direction and took the building and some equipment in the back.”
Having seen two fires at the neighboring recycling facility in a span of about 11 days, he wonders if this will finally be the end of it.
“I hope it’s the last time. But, worried? Yes, we are worried,” he said. “We are close to them, and the materials are close to the fence. We share the fence together, so it’s always in the back of your mind.”
And now he lives with the memory of how quickly everything can change – just like it did earlier this week.
“It was very quick. From the smoke to the flame to the fire, it was very, very quick.”
A representative of Town Recycling declined our request for an interview.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. – New Mexico Highlands University President Niel Woolf has sued the school, claiming leaders pushed him to redirect a $600,000 contract to a chairman’s friend.
Woolf filed the lawsuit after the university placed him on administrative leave at the beginning of May.
He says Board of Regents Chair Frank Sanchez told him to cancel a $600,000 agreement with an out-of-state contractor and give it to a local contractor.
Woolf says that company is led by a friend of both Sanchez and his brother-in-law, Sen. Pete Campos, who represents Las Vegas.
In the lawsuit, Woolf says Sanchez told him directing the funds to his friend would “go a long way towards securing money for the University from Senator Campos,” said Woolf.
Woolf is seeking damages and attorney’s fees under the New Mexico Whistleblower Protection Act.
CHAMA, N.M. – The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will begin its summer season on Tuesday, June 9, after the railroad delayed its opening due to drought and wildfire danger.
The season was initially set to begin on May 23. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission said it would conduct a review on June 2 to determine if it was safe enough to begin operations.
“A sincere thank you to all our passengers and the communities in Chama and Antonito who have been so patient as we waited for conditions to improve,” said Eric Mason, CEO of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. “We are excited to welcome guests back aboard and hear the opening whistle signal the start of another memorable season.”
The railroad will hold a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 13, in Chama. The celebration will coincide with Chama Western Heritage Days, a community festival that weekend with live music, vendors, and rodeo competitions.
The railroad recently won USA TODAY’S poll for the best scenic train ride in the country. In celebration of the win, the railroad said passengers who book by June 7 ca receive a 25% discount on coach tickets for trips through August. Guests must redeem the offer by calling the railroad at 888-286-2737 using promo code USATODAY#1.
Tickets are also available for the first Dark Sky Train departures on June 12 from Chama and June 13 from Antonito. The dark sky trains include evening excursions led by international dark sky guides, and take passengers to secluded spots with minimal light pollution.
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