Pictured above, Left to Right: Board Member Hampton; Board Member Counters; Board Member Davis; Board Member Gunther; and Board Member McTeigue. Member of the Public in attendance: Kim Thomas. Also in attendance were County Clerk-Naomi D. Maestas; Elections Manager-Victoria Martinez; Senior Deputy Clerk-Victoria Montoya and Deputy Clerk-Ubaldo Barela. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Board of Registration (Board) met Monday, March 6, to review the list of 247 eligible voters to “purge” based upon confirmation mailings sent out to inactive and National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) flagged voters in August 2020.
This list of eligible voters was compiled through unbiased efforts of the NM Secretary of State (NM SOS), pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1 993, (NVRA).
The following bi-partisan Board members, having been appointed by the County Council, were in attendance: Cameron Counters, Heath Davis, Betty Ann Gunther, David Hampton and Jolyn McTeigue. Also in attendance were County Clerk Naomi Maestas, Elections Manager Victoria Martinez, Senior Deputy Clerk Victoria Montoya and Deputy Clerk Ubaldo Barela.
Pursuant to NM State law, the Board shall meet every odd year, to review the list of eligible voters to “purge”, following guidelines set forth by the NM SOS. Following the review, the Board then directs the County Clerk to cancel the registration of any voter who has been sent a notice in conformance with 1-4-28 NMSA and who: 7) The registrant was mailed a confirmation mailing in August 2020; 2) The registrant is currently in “Inactive” status; 3) The registrant has not updated his or her registration address since being mailed the August 2020 confirmation mailing; and 4) The registrant has not voted in any election since being mailed the August 2020 confirmation mailing.
The Board reviewed the records on the list and verified they indeed met the criteria outlined above, thus, directing the County Clerk to cancel the registration of 247 voters from the Los Alamos County voter registration rolls. “Purging voter rolls of inactive voters and those who have moved, in accordance with federal and state laws, helps to ensure voting integrity. It is my pleasure to be involved in one of the processes demonstrating commitment to free and fair elections,” Board Member Hampton said.
“The process conducted today complies with federal and state law. Los Alamos is very fortunate to have these devoted community members who are to be commended for adhering to the guidelines and procedures with integrity, as prescribed by the Secretary of State’s Office. I appreciate the time and meticulous dedication the cross-party, locally appointed Board spent during the purge process ensuring that our voter rolls are accurate and are in proper order.” stated Clerk Maestas. The Board’s certification and final report will be submitted to the NM SOS, as required, and will be made available on the County Clerk webpage.
Clerk Maestas would like to remind residents who are not registered, have moved, or changed their mailing address, to complete a voter registration form. Forms are available at the County Clerk’s Office, located at 1 000 Central Avenue, 2nd Floor, Suite 240, or apply online through the NM SOS Voter Registration Portal (NMVote.org) available here.
For more information, please visit the Clerk’s website or contact the office at 505.662.8010 or by email at clerks@lacnm.us.
Follow the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office on Facebook + Instagram + Twitter