It should be encouraging to all of us that our state is a recognized leader in running efficient, accurate elections. Last year, MIT’s Election Performance Index named New Mexico number one in overall election performance – including voter registration, security, and accessibility. This is a fantastic achievement. Now, we must build on this strong foundation to continuously ensure that our elections maintain the highest standards of accuracy and transparency.
Thankfully, Observe New Mexico Elections is at the forefront of building on this mission through training and positioning nonpartisan election observers to ensure procedures and processes are followed and elections run smoothly. Not only is ONME a critical cause to increase transparency and public knowledge about elections, but it’s a unique opportunity for local community members to make a direct impact in ensuring fair, accurate and transparent elections.
During last year’s general election, ONME had election observers in 33 counties – and observers’ findings from across the board reflected that elections were run very well. And, for the minor number of challenges that were identified, ONME verified this information with individual observers, met with County Clerks and the Secretary of State to relay the findings, and discussed improvements for the future.
For municipal elections this fall, 40 sites are being observed for early voting, and 130 sites will be observed on election day. It is no small feat to get people involved, train, and organize them to carry out these important, nonpartisan poll observation efforts – but it’s a worthy cause that substantially benefits each and every one of us.
Click here to read the full letter to the editor by Garrey Carruthers, Former New Mexico Governor and former NMSU Chancellor, ONME Advisory Board Member, in The Las Cruces Bulletin.