NM models election security as other states try to weaken it
New Mexico is a model of election security, but across the country there are multiple groups working to prevent eligible voters from voting and to intimidate and harass election officials and workers.
Honestly, there are dozens of examples but here are a few.
Montana:In 2020 Montana experienced the highest voter turnout since 1972. Much of that increase was fueled by a 40% increase among young voters since 2016. Most of us would see this as an achievement to celebrate. But the Montana Legislature went to work in 2021 trying to restrict voting, including eliminating student ID cards as a form of voter identification.
Arizona:This year the Republican-controlled legislature passed a bill that allows individuals or organizations to access the state’s voter rolls. It provides that anyone who accesses the rolls and finds a registered voter they think is ineligible may report it. Election officials may remove the voter without notifying them. Gov. Doug Ducey, who campaigned recently with the New Mexico Republican gubernatorial nominee, signed the bill.
Florida: There were only 75 cases of “potential” fraud out of 11 million votes referred to law enforcement in 2020. Regardless, Florida created an Election Police Force to investigate crimes and allow law enforcement to police voter locations, a proven voter intimidation tactic.
Pennsylvania:America First Legal, founded by Trump allies Steven Miller and Mark Meadows, recently filed a lawsuit in Lehigh County to limit the use of round-the-clock ballot drop boxes. In Lehigh, the fastest growing county in Pennsylvania, 48% of voters are Democrats, 34% are Republicans, and 18% are independents with a majority of women voters.
In Michigan, Arizona, Kansas, and other states, candidates discourage trust in voting. They continue spreading lies and disinformation about 2020 elections and claims of fraud that have been repeatedly disproven.
The constant intimidation of election officials and workers that began in 2020 is more disturbing. With less than 60 days to Election Day, election workers across the country are resigning due to toxic environments.
New Mexico’s Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver recently testified before Congress that she was “doxed,” i.e., had her personal information, such as phone, address, children’s school, published on the internet in 2020. Her family was forced to leave their home with police protection. Since the 2022 primary, she has referred three credible threats to the FBI.
States like Texas and Florida are passing laws making it a criminal offense for election officials to help voters find out about how to vote or help correct ballot-request errors. In Florida, it is now an offense to pass out water to voters standing in long lines and scorching heat.
But in New Mexico, we use every possible tool to make sure voters can vote. Here are some of the tools in our toolbox:
New Mexico has 28 days of early voting in all county clerk offices.
Any registered voter in the state can vote by mail with no excuse required.
Most counties provide round-the-clock ballot drop boxes under with current law. Drop boxes provide an important convenience to rural voters and those who can’t vote during regular business hours.
New Mexico now has same day registration. With the necessary documentation you can register (or change your registration) during early voting or on Election Day. And student IDs are accepted!
Lea County Clerk Keith Manes, a Republican, told the Hobbs News-Sun recently that New Mexico is a model for secure voting and integrity. He provides a detailed description of machine testing, ballot security, and tabulating to assure voters of ballot security.
In New Mexico, access, security, accuracy, and resolute election workers create a system that is an example for the country. Let’s take pride in that!
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: NM models election security as other states try to weaken it
