County OKs canvass of 2024 election

The Quay County Commission last Tuesday approved a canvass of the 2024 general election results without much discussion.

That’s a far cry from recent elections after Donald Trump claimed — without evidence — that his 2020 presidential re-election over challenger Joe Biden was stolen from him.

Those claims sparked turmoil in many county election operations, including in New Mexico.

The commission approved the canvass of the 2020 results, but skepticism about election integrity persisted into 2022, when two commissioners said they were asked by constituents to delay certification or to scrutinize the canvass of the primary.

The commissioners ultimately voted to certify the results.

However, Otero County commissioners for several days refused to certify the results of the 2022 primary, though they cited no voting irregularities there. Torrance and Sandoval counties experienced unruly opposition from the public when commissioners approved the canvass of their primaries. A group in Roosevelt County requested a so-called audit of the 2020 general election.

Trump in the 2024 election ultimately won a second presidential term, including in Quay County by a large margin.

Before the canvass vote last week, County Clerk Ellen White reported there were no outstanding ballots from the Nov. 5 election and that “everything was accounted for on Election Night.”

White said local results from the election were “wrapped up” by 9 p.m. on Election Day, with 66% voter turnout.

“The election was pulled off without incident,” she said.

A day later, White sent out a news release, stating her office would conduct a post-election voting system check.

Such checks are mandatory in all counties after statewide elections. The system check will begin 9 a.m. Wednesday and is open to the public.

On a related note, county manager Daniel Zamora said Tuesday’s meeting would be the last for commission Chairman Robert Lopez, a Democrat who lost his re-election bid to GOP challenger Dallas Dowell.

Lopez, who served a total of three terms on the commission, won’t be present at its final 2024 meeting in December. Zamora asked Lopez to attend the county’s employee appreciation dinner.

“I just want to recognize all the work you’ve this term and previous terms,” Zamora said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and all the mentorship and everything you’ve done for Quay County.”

Lopez responded: “It’s truly a labor of love because very seldom are you appreciated for anything you do in the county. Most of the time, it’s a complaint. It’s been a real joy to serve.”

Dowell will take office on the commission in January.

In other business:

— Commissioners approved a letter that requests officials from the U.S. Department of Energy to make a presentation on proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, one which would pass through the county.

The DOE states on its website the Federal Power Act authorizes the Secretary of Energy to designate any geographic area as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor if he or she finds consumers are harmed by a lack of electrical transmission in an area and that development of such would advance national interests there, such as better grid reliability and reduced consumer costs.

The commission’s action followed a presentation by Nara Visa rancher Ed Hughes, who labeled the proposed corridor as “an overreach” by the federal agency.

Hughes said the DOE, with the aid of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, has the power of eminent domain to seize land for the corridor.

“In other words, they can about anything they want to,” he said.

He said such seizures would affect $14 billion in annual agriculture production in Quay County and nearby counties. Farm Bureaus in seven states oppose the corridors.

Hughes said documents indicate the DOE wants to install “energy storage solutions,” or batteries, in the corridor. He said such batteries generate massive heat and toxic smoke if they catch fire, like one did in Monterey Bay, California.

Hughes questioned whether the corridors were needed, nothing consumer energy use has remained flat since 2005.

Lopez agreed the DOE needs to be more forthcoming about the project.

“We need to have a voice in what’s going on,” he said.

— During public comments, Joann Thompson of the Tucumcari Tuesdays volunteer cleanup crew said she wanted to inspect the long-closed Caprock Amphitheater south of San Jon and see whether it could be repurposed or repaired. The county leases the facility to a wind farm.

Lopez said he appreciated what Tucumcari Tuesdays has done.

“It’s made a big difference around the community,” he said.

— The commission approved a resolution that opposes compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code.

Zamora said the code places an undue burden on the county and private property owners. Among the requirements are that properties must be equipped with at least 5% of parking spaces for electric vehicles, with charging stations.

— The commission approved a subrecipient grant agreement with the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for a total of $56,024 to cover emergency management director Bill Kardokus’ salary.

It also approved a grant agreement for a $64,541 hazardous mitigation plan update with the county’s share of $15,375. Zamora said the county wants to added a tornado-siren system in Logan and update other systems in House and San Jon.

— The commission approved budgetary-increase resolutions: $190,000 in Law Enforcement Protection Fund in sheriff’s fees for House and San Jon; $92,873.74 for EMGS grant funding for District 1 and Forrest; and $1 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to finish the design of a new Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari.