Voting Matters May update
www.votingmatters.net
 
In this edition:
Charter Amendment Followup
Election Integrity
Interim Legislative Opportunities
 
 
Charter Amendment Followup
 
Members of Voting Matters finally got our meeting with the city clerk last week to discuss implementation of Ranked Choice Voting in time for the 2010 municipal election. We discussed three options for implementation, and the city clerk is looking at cost and other effects of the various options.
 
The City Council has not yet acted regarding public campaign financing, and the word is that they will be setting up a citizen commission to make recommendations.
 
We want to make sure both of these election reforms are implemented by the March 2010 election. Please help keep these issues in the forefronts of our councilor’s minds by sending a letter to the editor and by calling your councilor. The message: Voters overwhelmingly passed these reforms, please see that they are in place by the 2010 election.
 
Patti Bushee
984-8744
pjbushee@santafenm.gov

Chris Calvert
913-0359
ccalvert@santafenm.gov

Rosemary Romero
982-9805
rosemary.romero@gmail.com

Rebecca Wurzburger
982-6351
rebeccawrz@comcast.net

Miguel Chavez
984-8125
miguelmchavez@msn.com

Carmichael Dominguez
955-6814
cadominguez@santafenm.gov

Matt Ortiz
955-6817
meortiz@santafenm.gov

Ronald Trujillo
424-1791
rstrujillo@santafenm.gov

Mayor David Coss
955-6590
 
 
Albuquerque Journal Santa Fe: kpeterson@abqjournal.com
Santa Fe New Mexican: letters@sfnewmexican.com (150 words)
Santa Fe Reporter: editor@sfreporter.com
 
 
Election Integrity
 
With the major party primaries coming up, focus is once again on the integrity of our elections systems. You can do something about ensuring the process runs smoothly by working as a poll worker or volunteering as a poll watcher. Call your county clerk to get details. Santa Fe 986-6280 for a list of other clerks, see www.sos.state.nm.us.
 
If you encounter any troubles during this election, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE and report your experience. The Election Protection Hotline is run by People for the American Way, the NAACP, and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights.
 
With Voter ID being in the news, it is worth noting that in New Mexico, only first time voters who registered by mail are required to show ID. New Mexico law allows all other voters to verbally state their name, address, and date of birth in order to cast a ballot. To see if you are registered to vote and where you vote, visit https://voterview.state.nm.us .
 
Interim Legislative Opportunities
 
With both houses of the state legislature up for election this year, it is a great time to talk to your senators, representatives and candidates for those offices about important election reform issues. We expect to see legislation in January 2009’s 60 day session dealing with expanding public financing of elections, election day registration, an independent redistricting commission, improved audit and recount laws, voter ID, and more.
 
See www.sos.state.nm.us for a list of legislative candidates.
 
About this newsletter
 
You are receiving this because you have expressed an interest in election reform issues. If you know anyone else who would like to receive these periodic updates, please send an email to vote@newmexico.com. If you no longer wish to receive these notices, please do the same.
 
If you care to support this work with a financial donation, you may do so via paypal at www.votingmatters.net, or by mailing it to:
 
Voting Matters
POB 4764
SF NM
87502
 
www.votingmatters.net
505-920-0540