COUNTY News:
Los Alamos residents have the opportunity to make a difference by running for office in the upcoming nonpartisan local elections on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Positions on the School Board, UNM-Los Alamos Advisory Board, and Mirador Public Improvement District Board are on the ballot.
Candidate Filing Day
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.
In person at the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office, 1000 Central Ave., Suite 240. Candidates should call the Clerk’s office at 505.662.8010 if unable to appear in person.
Positions Available:
- LAPS School Board – District 1: representing Piñon School in White Rock;
- LAPS School Board – District 2: representing Chamisa School in White Rock;
- UNM-Los Alamos Advisory Board (3 seats) at large in the community; and
- Mirador Public Improvement District Board (3 seats).
UNM-LA Advisory Board
UNMLA Advisory Board members are elected at large to represent the community. The role is “to serve as an advisory body to the UNM Board of Regents on matters related to the UNM-LA branch campus. Provide input on the branch’s priorities, act as a sounding board for the Chancellor, approve the annual budget, and assist in approving and certifying the tax levy to Los Alamos County and calling elections for both tax levies and Advisory Board positions.”
Mirador
The Mirador Public Improvement District Board is open only to residents of Mirador in White Rock. The Mirador PID Board oversees the Mirador development to manage infrastructure projects such as roads, utilities, and other amenities that benefit only the residents in Mirador. The MPID Board has three vacancies.
Now, the big one: School Board
School Board members, as per New Mexico law, represent a particular school; however, because in New Mexico the School Boards are districted according to population and not necessarily according to the school one’s child attends, deciding to run for the Board is a little confusing. For example, Elk Park and residents on the South Side of Trinity Drive will vote for, and can represent, District 1, Piñon School in White Rock even though those students go to Aspen.
Please check the District Map.
Why run for School Board? It’s a whole lot of work requiring a huge time commitment. Even though New Mexico law restricts the Board’s powers and duties to only five areas: developing policies, hiring and supervising the superintendent, reviewing and approving the budget, managing property, suing and being sued—each of these areas requires not only committing to the hours of reading, meetings, and interaction with the schools, but the commitment to use these mandates for the benefit of the entire community, including that of out-of-district students.
The previous school board did the heavy lifting (dare we say Herculean task?) of designing and building both White Rock elementary schools, one of which new candidates will represent. There will be three veteran members to train and guide new candidates into being a successful advocate of kids, parents, and everybody else in the community, no matter what the economic situation, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, family situation, and neurodiversity. Those with the commitment and stamina are encouraged to attend the training on Monday.
https://www.laschools.net/school-board/school-board-elections
For more information,vist the County and State Clerk’s websites:
https://www.sos.nm.gov/candidate-and-campaigns/how-to-become-a-candidate/
