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
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) — The Social Security Office released the most popular baby names for 2025 on Thursday. And here in New Mexico, we saw some familiar names top the charts once again.
Coming in at No. 1 for girls is Mia, and as for the boys, Noah ranks No. 1. That’s no change from 2024 when Mia and Noah also led the pack, both coming in at No 1. For 2025, there were a total of 66 babies named Mia and 115 babies named Noah, while in 2024, there were 81 Mias and 105 Noahs.
What do the names mean? Online sources list a few different interpretations for Mia, but one common association is with the Italian word “mia,” which means “mine.” As for Noah, the name is most commonly associated with the prominent bible figure. It’s thought to mean “rest,” or “comfort.”
Here’s a look at some of the other top baby names in New Mexico for 2025.
- Girls:
- Olivia (65 total)
- Sophia (65 total)
- Sofia (60 total)
- Camila (59 total)
- Eliana (57 total)
- Isabella (56 total)
- Amelia (53 total)
- Aria (45 total)
- Aurora (45 total)
- Boys:
- Liam (109 total)
- Mateo (99 total)
- Elijah (76 total)
- Santiago (70 total)
- Sebastian (69 total)
- Ezra (67 total)
- Elias (66 total)
- Ezekiel (66 total)
- Levi (69 total)
Nationally, Olivia and Liam are the most popular baby names, and have been for the past seven years, according to the Social Security Administration. As for the fastest-rising names, Klarity jumped nearly 1,400 spots on the girls’ list, and Kasai jumped 1,108 for boy names.
Other names rising in popularity for boys include Atlas, Adriel, Emiliano, Arthur, and Archer. On the girls’ list, Ailany, Sienna, Amara, and Georgia are becoming more popular.
You can find the full list by state online.
Enter your email and we’ll send a secure one-click link to sign in.
KRQE NEWS 13 is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
KRQE NEWS 13 is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a leading, diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The My Nexstar sign-in works across the Nexstar network—including The CW, NewsNation, The Hill, and more. Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — An ‘imposter nurse’ in Las Cruces is facing 34 charges after nearly causing the death of a patient and illegally giving medications to patients under 18 years old.
A Doña Ana County grand jury indicted Margarita Gonzalez. She is accused of assuming the identities of nurses in Texas to get hired at four nursing facilities in Las Cruces:
- Village at Northrise
- Las Cruces Wellness and Rehabilitation
- Peak Behavioral Health
- Matrix Home Care
The New Mexico Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Bureau investigated and discovered instances where Gonzalez illegally gave injections and dispensed prescriptions, including narcotics to eight inpatient residents under 18 years old.
An investigation also found Gonzalez was also about to allegedly give “an incorrect insulin dose” to a patient that they claim could’ve killed the patient if another nurse hadn’t caught the error.
Several facilities fired Gonzalez over patient safety concerns and an observed lack of knowledge.
“Impersonating a healthcare provider is a reckless and selfish crime that subjects those most vulnerable to risk of serious injury or death,” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said. “I will not tolerate those who risk the safety of patients or cause danger and unnecessary confusion within the healthcare system. These charges should keep anyone attempting to pose as a healthcare provider on notice: we will find you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law to protect New Mexicans.”
Gonzalez’s charges include identity theft, nursing without a license, abuse of a resident, distribution of controlled substances to a minor and fraud totaling over $25,000.
If convicted on all counts, Gonzalez could face up to 100 years in prison.
-
New Jersey3 minutes agoNew Jersey swim team left without pool after Wayne Community Center abruptly ends agreement
-
New Mexico9 minutes agoThe most popular baby names in New Mexico for 2025
-
North Carolina15 minutes agoBusinesses worry of potential impacts as Marion tightens water restrictions amid drought
-
North Dakota21 minutes agoHighway Patrol: Blowing dirt cuts visibility in northwest North Dakota
-
Ohio27 minutes agoWarren man sentenced for Niles police chase
-
Oklahoma33 minutes agoOklahoma judge allows former death row prisoner to be released on bond while awaiting retrial
-
Oregon39 minutes agoPeaceHealth says Oregon CEO Jim McGovern out, Heather Wall to continue as interim leader
-
Pennsylvania45 minutes agoMan arrested for allegedly posting hit list, threatening more than a dozen Pennsylvania lawmakers