ALBUQUERQUE — Observe New Mexico Elections, a statewide nonpartisan election observation effort, has successfully launched its observation activities for the Nov. 5 General Election. Early voting began on Oct. 8 across all counties in New Mexico with expanded early voting beginning on Oct. 19 and 20. ONME observers were deployed statewide.
In preparation for early voting and general elections, every county clerk in New Mexico tests and ultimately certifies election equipment. The process is formally called Logic and Accuracy testing and occurs before each election.
ONME trained over 25 observers with information about what New Mexico state law notes will happen during this process, which is designed to provide election administrators and voters with confidence that the election equipment can be expected to function correctly during voting. Observers were given checklists to help them report on a just-the-facts assessment of their observation and were trained to understand their observation-only, non-interference role to ensure that election workers can focus on their job and test and certify their machines. Thus far, ONME has observed the rigorous testing process in 18 counties: Bernalillo, Catron, Curry, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Otero, Roosevelt, San Juan, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, and Valencia.
Additionally, ONME has prepared over 115 observers across New Mexico, equipping them with knowledge about state mandates for voting site setup, daily operations, and evening security procedures. Each observer is provided with a vest, a badge, a letter of appointment from the Secretary of State and a comprehensive checklist for documenting observations. Observers adhere to strict non-interference protocols while documenting and reporting issues to the project team.
The trained observers are strategically distributed across the state:
• Northern New Mexico (Counties of Cibola, Colfax, Guadalupe, Harding, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Quay, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Taos, Union): 30
• Central New Mexico (Counties of Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Torrance): 44
• Southern New Mexico (Counties of Catron, Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Roosevelt, Sierra, Socorro): 44
“Our observers have been diligently monitoring the early voting process across New Mexico,” Maureen Sanders, civil rights attorney and Observe New Mexico Elections Advisory Board Member, said.
“We are committed to ensuring transparency and building trust in our electoral system,” Garrey Carruthers, former New Mexico Governor and Observe New Mexico Elections Advisory Board Member, said. “The data collected by our observers will be crucial in preparing a comprehensive report on the quality of the 2024 general election in New Mexico.”
ONME will continue to observe the early voting period and Election Day, with the goal of providing a thorough and impartial assessment of New Mexico’s election processes.
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