State Observers Report Safe, Secure Elections Across New Mexico Communities

Observe New Mexico Elections, a nonpartisan effort to strengthen trust and transparency in state elections, released preliminary findings from its observation of recent local elections. The initiative deployed 115 trained observers to 107 polling sites in 11 municipalities, including Gallup in McKinley County, and found the election to be safe and secure with high voter turnout in some areas.

The observers, who were registered voters trained on New Mexico election laws, procedures, and safeguards, reported that 98 percent of the polling locations where ONME was present opened on time and remained open throughout the day without significant disruptions. Observers also noted substantially fewer issues with same day voter registration compared to problems seen during the 2024 general election. ONME said it will continue to collect and compile observations through the coming weeks, and that a full report and an accompanying summary will be finalized and available in December.

The observation network covered Alamogordo, Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Clayton, Farmington, Gallup, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Silver City, and Taos. Organizers emphasized that their work mirrors the observation effort from last year and aims to produce a comprehensive report that highlights both strengths and areas where election processes can be improved.

Local voters and election officials in McKinley County can take reassurance from the initial findings, which point to orderly operations at polling places in Gallup and other observed communities. For residents who recall challenges with same day registration in 2024, the reduced incidence of those issues signals progress in administering voter access and managing lines and paperwork on site. For election staff and volunteers, the high rate of timely openings speaks to planning and resource allocation that helped polling places function throughout the day.

Beyond operational measures, the observation effort contributes to public confidence by documenting processes and identifying adjustments to enhance accessibility and consistency. Carmen Lopez, Co Lead of ONME, noted in a November 5 press release that New Mexico was recently recognized as the top state in the country by the MIT Election Performance Index for overall election performance including voter registration, security, and accessibility. The observers plan to use their detailed findings to recommend practical improvements ahead of future elections.

The full ONME report due in December will provide a more complete picture of election administration across the state and offer specific recommendations. For McKinley County residents, the upcoming report will be an opportunity to review localized observations and to engage with county election officials on any suggested changes to improve future voting experiences.