Tight Local Races, Turnout Rise Mark San Juan County Election
Voter turnout in San Juan County reached 16 percent under New Mexico’s consolidated Regular Local Election format, with 13,619 of 81,864 registered voters participating — a five‑point increase from 2021. Three contests remain within the automatic recount threshold, setting up potential recounts that could determine a municipal judge and two school board seats central to local governance.
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San Juan County saw modest but meaningful voter engagement in the most recent consolidated Regular Local Election, with a turnout of 16 percent — 13,619 of 81,864 registered voters — an increase of five percentage points over 2021. County and state officials attributed the higher participation to expanded access measures, including early voting, ballot drop boxes and same‑day registration.
At the top of local concerns are three razor‑thin contests that have met the automatic recount threshold and are likely to determine key local offices. In Bloomfield, the race for municipal judge is currently led by Katrina Florez Fitt over Michael Rusty Kovacs by six votes. In Aztec School Board District 3, Robert J. Dusenbery leads Hali N. Meador by four votes. In Farmington School Board District 3, Alyssa C. Begay holds an eight‑vote advantage over Michayla A. Slade.
The close margins trigger an expedited review process. San Juan County will complete its local canvass before sending results to the state for official certification on Nov. 25. If the narrow leads persist, automatic recounts are expected to take place the week of Dec. 1 under state procedures, potentially altering the outcomes in any of the three contests.
The potential transfer of authority in these offices carries immediate local implications. The Bloomfield municipal judge oversees municipal legal proceedings and enforcement that affect day‑to‑day community life. The two contested school board seats in Aztec and Farmington could influence decisions on budgeting, school policy and superintendent oversight, shaping educational priorities for students and families across the county.
Local election officials emphasized logistical changes that likely contributed to the higher turnout. Early voting periods and additional ballot drop boxes aimed to ease access for rural and working voters, while same‑day registration reduced barriers for those who had not updated voter information in advance. Those adaptations reflect a broader state effort to consolidate local elections and streamline participation.
With formal certification scheduled for late November and recounts possible the first week of December, community members are watching closely. The final results will not only settle individual races but will also determine who steers local legal and educational institutions for the coming term. For San Juan County residents, the outcomes underscore how a small number of ballots can shape local governance and the importance of continued civic participation.
