Eddy County Republicans outpaced Democrats and all other political parties in early and absentee voting for the Nov. 2 local elections.
Early voting concluded Oct. 30 and according to figures released Oct. 31 from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office, 995 Republicans voted early and absentee in Eddy County during the October absentee and early voting period.
Per the Secretary of State, 25 Republicans voted absentee and 970 voted early.
Democrats were behind Republicans in the absentee and early voting category as 26 voted absentee and 355 voted early for a total of 381.
A combined 77 people from those who declared no party affiliation, Libertarian and other parties voted early and absentee in Eddy County.
The Secretary of State reported 18 Eddy County residents took advantage of same day registration during October.
See where to vote:These are the voting locations open Election Day, Nov. 2
Per the Secretary of State’s website, early voting allowed people to register or update an existing registration and vote the same day.
Passed in 2019, The public peace, health, safety, and welfare early and auto voter registration, Senate Bill 672, (SB-672).
The bill sponsored by Sen. Linda Lopez (D-11), Sen. Daniel Ivy-Soto (D-15) and former State Rep. Linda Trujillo (D-48) was introduced Feb. 14, 2019 and signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham March 27, 2019.
Eddy County Chief Deputy County Clerk Cara Cook said 33,893 voters are eligible to vote in the Nov. 2 local elections.
By the numbers:Nearly 400 Eddy County residents vote early for local elections
Carlsbad had 883 early voters and 520 voted early in Artesia, Cook said.
“Not sure what to expect tomorrow (Nov. 2) but it will probably be a pretty low turnout,” she said.
Residents in Carlsbad, Loving, Artesia and Hope were voting for candidates seeking multiple offices ranging from city council to soil and water supervisors.
Four tax questions were on the ballot in Eddy County. Three for school bonds in Carlsbad, Loving and Artesia. Voters in the Artesia Special Hospital District were voting on a tax question as well.
Ward 3 Carlsbad City Council candidate Karla Hamel did some last-minute campaigning on Nov. 1.
“I’m going to knock on a few more doors and put my flyers at as many doors as I can,” she said.
Hamel faced former Eddy County Magistrate Judge Dick Van Dyk. Both are looking to replace Ward 3 incumbent Jason Shirley, who decided not to run for another term.
Republican Party of New Mexico Chairperson Steve Pearce said Eddy County had strong city council and school board candidates.
“The Party has been working hard across the state at the grassroots level to help all our conservative candidates for mayor, councilor, school board members and other offices,” he said.
“Republicans are poised to offer alternatives to the radical, progressive political agenda that’s ruining our state. Real change begins at the local level, and we have Republicans running for local offices across New Mexico who will make a difference and improve our communities.”
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Residents wondering where to vote were asked to call the Eddy County Clerk’s office in Carlsbad at 575-885-3383 or the Eddy County Clerk’s Sub-Office in Artesia at 575-746-2541.
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Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at [email protected] or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
