Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
New Mexico’s elections recently were ranked best in the nation by the Elections Performance Index, a project of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Election Data and Science Lab described as “a non-partisan, objective measure of U.S. election administration.”
The news comes as county clerks in the state are preparing for the June 4 primary election. Early voting in the primary begins May 7.
The rankings, released in late March and based on the 2022 midterm elections, use a variety of performance indicators measuring aspects of election administration such as voter registration rates, post-election audits, security protocols, ballot rejection rates, wait times and more.
New Mexico moved up eight spots in the rankings since the 2018 Elections Performance Index, when the state was ranked ninth.
Quay County Clerk Ellen White, who hailed the ranking, stated in an email that “the mission has always been to give every citizen in every election an opportunity to cast their ballots with confidence by providing transparent and fair elections.”
“Being recognized by MIT just shows the solidarity we have collectively as Clerks in New Mexico,” she added. “New Mexico has been ahead of the curve for decades with voter resources and post-election ‘audit free’ elections. County Clerks not only have the responsibility of serving our local constituents, we serve the entire State of New Mexico proudly and with honor.”
“The professional election administrators who keep the polls open and the votes counted and the engine of democracy running in New Mexico are exemplary, and it’s an honor to see this work recognized on the national stage,” New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver stated in a news release.
“Alongside my incredible staff and the tireless work of our 33 county clerks and their staffs, I’m proud to have helped modernize New Mexico’s elections by finding a critical balance between voter access and election security.
“I’m particularly proud of the Index’s recognition of New Mexico’s excellent online voter resources, our low ballot rejection rates, our use of post-election audits, and our membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center – all of which were cited as indicators of our peak performance.”
Election administration also has improved all across the nation in recent years.
The MIT Election Lab stated in a news release: “The latest update to the EPI shows that election management across the United States improved in the 2022 midterm election, continuing an upward trend we see throughout the past few iterations of the index.
“In 2010, the nationwide average score on the index was just 63%. In 2022, that has leapt to 80%, an incredible achievement. Among the biggest factors driving state improvement have been improved data collection and practices, as well as more capable websites that feature better tools for voters.”
The last day to register by mail or online for the primary is May 7. However, same-day registration with proper identification is available through June 4.
Early voting in Quay County from May 7 to May 30 will be on Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting hours on May 31 will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and June 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting takes pace at the county clerk’s office at 301 S. Third St., Tucumcari.
On primary election day on June 4, vote centers will be at the Tucumcari Convention Center, Forrest fire station, House Community Center, Logan Civic Center, Nara Visa Community Center and San Jon Community Center. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.