CVNM News:

SANTA FE — With some states still too close to call, the Presidential election outcome is still unclear.

Across the country, states witnessed record levels of absentee, early and Election Day voting. Absentee and early voting ballots continue to be counted in key states.

“At this moment, we call on our nation’s leaders and elections officials to protect and honor the principles of democracy. Voters overcame substantial obstacles to cast their ballots this year, and voted early and absentee in record numbers. Counting every vote isn’t about who wins the elections; it’s about our right to vote,” said Executive Director Demis Foster of Conservation Voters New Mexico. “Voters did their part in this election—now it’s time for us to make sure their votes are counted.”   

In New Mexico 912,565 votes were cast, representing the highest number of raw votes in state history. New Mexican voters elected more women, more people of color, and more conservation leaders into office than at any other time in the state’s history.

In the state House, women now make up 50 percent of the members. In the Senate, we now have a stronger pro-conservation majority.

“Fortunately, New Mexico voters elected a historic number of women and people of color with strong conservation values who will step up and strengthen New Mexico’s role as a leader in the transition to a renewable energy economy, and protection of our water, land, and wildlife,” said Ben Shelton, CVNM’s Political and Policy Director. “We look forward to working with newly elected legislators to advance policies that address the climate crisis, and protect the air we breathe and water we drink.” 

Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM), the leading environmental advocacy organization in New Mexico, endorsed a record number of candidates for the state House and Senate, as well as candidates for the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Grant County Commission.

CVNM also supported a “yes” vote on Constitutional Amendment #1 to reform the Public Regulation Commission (PRC). In the House, 35 of 44 endorsed candidates won, while in the Senate, 25 of 29 endorsed candidates won. Both endorsed PRC candidates and two of three endorsed Grant County Commission candidates won their elections. The Constitutional Amendment to reform the PRC succeeded.

“The success of the PRC reform amendment is encouraging,” continued Shelton. “We also celebrate the election of Joe Maestas and re-election of Cynthia Hall to the Commission during the transition to an appointed Commission. We are excited about the potential of the PRC to implement the Energy Transition Act in ways that center low-income families and renewable energy growth.

In addition, even though the state has severe budget restrictions because of the collapse of oil and gas revenue, New Mexico lawmakers are now likely to support innovative legislation to protect public lands and the environment, as well as increasing support for transforming New Mexico’s economy based on renewable energy.” 

New Mexicans care deeply about conservation issues and values across social, cultural, geographic and economic diversity. Repeated polling shows overwhelming support for protecting air and water quality, protecting public lands against resource extraction, and dealing with climate change, especially through a turn toward renewable energy development.

The annual Colorado College “Conservation in the West” poll from February 2020 found: 

• 72% of New Mexicans consider themselves a “conservationist”
• 78% say that clean water and air, wildlife, and public lands are important to them
• 78% support the ambitious national goal of “30 x 30” to preserve 30% of land in the state as public land by 2030
• 74% favor conserving habitat over opening land up for oil and gas production
• 74% believe that water supplies are becoming more unpredictable

 “These New Mexican values have found a voice in pro-conservation majorities in both chambers and with the Governor,” Foster said. “This was reflected in the outcomes in the 2016 and 2018 state elections. This year, we understand that the pandemic and concerns over jobs because of the collapse of the oil and gas industry outweighed messages about the environment. Moving forward, we need to come together to work toward a healthier future for all New Mexicans. We have a window of opportunity in the next few years for action right here at home to mitigate the climate crisis, protect the health of our people, and strengthen our economy.”

CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land, and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. CVNM does this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable and advancing responsible public policies. Please see the full list of CVNM’s endorsement outcomes.