Canvass attendees clockwise from left, Canvass Board Member Heath Davis, Board Member Betty Ann Gunther, Board Member Jolyn McTeigue, County Clerk Naomi Maestas, Elections Manager Victoria Martinez, Board Member James Rickman and Board Member Cameron Counters. Photo by Senior Deputy Clerk Victoria Montoya.
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County (LAC) Clerk’s Office has completed the required canvass process to certify and finalize the results of the 2022 General Election, held Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The Canvass Board met 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 in the Municipal Building. The Canvass Board consisted of Cameron Counters (Democrat), Betty Ann Gunther (Republican), Heath Davis (Libertarian), James Rickman (Democrat) and Jolyn McTeigue (Republican).
Also in attendance were County Clerk Naomi Maestas, Elections Manager Victoria Martinez and Senior Deputy Clerk Victoria Montoya. Members of the public Kimberly Thomas and David Hampton observed.
During the process, the Canvass Board verified the accuracy of the election results from the early and absentee locations, as well as the election day vote centers. The canvassed results proved to be a precise match between the machine tapes and the results posted on election day.
As a result, the Board issued a certificate of canvass, which has been sent to the New Mexico Secretary of State and others as required by law. The certificate of canvass and official election results have been made available on the County Clerk webpage.
When asked about the process, Canvass Board Member James Rickman said, “It is an honor to help confirm that our county and its voters participated once again in a free and fair election, a cornerstone of our democratic republic. Hats off to the poll workers, precinct judges, poll watchers, the diligent personnel in the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office, and everyone who cast a vote in the 2022 General Election. These people deserve our gratitude for safeguarding the tradition and integrity of American Democracy.”
The final count of ballots cast in the 2022 Primary Election totaled 10,184, representing a turnout of 65.5 percent among the 15,559 Los Alamos County registered voters. Of the total votes, 5,774 were cast during early voting, 1,126 were cast by mail, and 3,284 were cast on election day. Clerk Maestas stated, “As previously demonstrated citizens of Los Alamos find value in democracy. ‘Thank You’ to the 65.5 percent of voters who chose to make their voices heard this election.”
Clerk Maestas would like to thank all the candidates for their dedication and commitment through this election process, the UNM-Los Alamos and Betty Ehart Senior Center — as well as the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos, their partner in promoting voter registration and sharing key election information. Clerk Maestas would like to extend a special “Thank You” to all the Election Poll Workers, who spent many hours, Oct. 11 through the late hours election day serving voters in a friendly, professional, and efficient manner.
“Words cannot express my gratitude for our election workers, AKA our election heroes! They prove time and time again that they, indeed, are the backbone of democracy! Our community is incredibly fortunate for their service!” Clerk Maestas said.
She also would like to express her sincere gratitude to the Canvassing Board, who are always diligent in their efforts. Clerk Maestas also extends her sincerest appreciation to the numerous County Department staff who all contributed to the success of the election. A special thank you to all the Clerk staff for going the extra mile and rising to the occasion this election despite the office being extremely short-staffed, primarily: Elections Manager Victoria Martinez; Senior Deputy Clerk Victoria Montoya; Deputy Clerks Ubaldo Barela, Anna Archuleta and Allison Collins and Student Clerks Katelyn Alarid and Olivia Koo.
Clerk Maestas would like to remind those residents who registered by mail, online or with the Motor Vehicle Department after Oct. 11 that they will begin to process registrations when books reopen Dec. 13. Those who are not registered or have moved can obtain a voter registration application at the County Clerk’s Office at 1000 Central Ave., 2nd Floor, Suite 240. Voter registration services and forms are available through the Motor Vehicle Department or online to eligible New Mexico citizens through the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
For more info, visit the Clerk’s website or contact the office at 505.662.8010 or email elections@lacnm.us. Follow the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Canvass Board members review results tapes from each tabulator at each polling location. Courtesy/LAC
Members of the public David Hampton and Kim Thomas discuss the process. Courtesy/LAC
