Free and fair elections are the foundation of a healthy democracy. New Mexicans should have confidence that elections are run professionally, votes are counted accurately, and the rules are applied consistently. Election integrity is not about politics. It is about good administration, transparency, local accountability, and public trust.
I support Voter ID. New Mexicans deserve election laws that protect legally registered voters, strengthen confidence in the process, and make it clear that every eligible vote is counted accurately and fairly. Voter ID is a common-sense safeguard that should be applied in a fair, consistent, and accessible way across the state.
This has been my position for years. As Mayor of Rio Rancho, I stood up for our community’s voter-approved election protections, including photo identification requirements in city elections. When efforts were made to move Rio Rancho’s local elections into a statewide system that would have weakened local control and removed local Voter ID protections, I opposed that change. Rio Rancho voters made their decision, and I believe that decision should be respected.
New Mexico already has other important safeguards in place. The state uses paper ballots that provide a clear audit trail, and post-election audits are required to help verify results. These systems matter, and they should be protected and strengthened. The focus now should be on making sure election laws are followed consistently across the state and that election officials have the tools, training, and support they need to do their jobs well.
Professional election administration is a key priority. County clerks, municipal clerks, and election staff play a critical role in running secure and orderly elections, often under difficult conditions. I support strong standards for training and certification so election administrators are prepared, consistent, and accountable. Protecting election workers from harassment and intimidation is also necessary so they can carry out their responsibilities without fear or pressure.
Accurate voter rolls are another important part of election integrity. I support regular, transparent maintenance of voter lists to keep them up to date and remove ineligible registrations, in full compliance with federal and state law. Clear processes and public reporting help build confidence that voter rolls are accurate and well managed.
Consistency across counties matters. New Mexicans should expect the same rules and procedures to be applied no matter where they live. I will work to support uniform enforcement of voter identification requirements, absentee ballot handling, ballot security, and election procedures statewide. Clear and consistent rules reduce confusion, improve fairness, and strengthen confidence in the system.
Local control matters too. Communities should not have their voter-approved election safeguards stripped away by state overreach. Rio Rancho’s experience shows why this matters. Local voters approved their election rules, and state policy should respect the will of those voters instead of forcing one-size-fits-all changes without clear evidence, clear costs, or clear accountability.
Transparency ties all of this together. Election procedures, audits, voter roll maintenance, and results should be accessible and understandable to the public. When people can see how elections are run and how results are verified, trust grows.
My goal is simple: an election system that is secure, transparent, professionally managed, and trusted by the people it serves. By supporting Voter ID, strong administration, accurate voter rolls, local accountability, and consistent standards, New Mexico can protect election integrity and make sure every eligible vote is counted accurately and fairly.
