One reason why misinformation about elections is so prominent may be because while the process for voters is simple, there’s a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into it, Alex Curtas, a spokesman for the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office said during an event hosted by NM Political Report Thursday evening in Albuquerque.
NM Political Report hosted a “News and Brews” event focused on elections 12 days before the primary election.
Curtas was joined on the panel discussion by Molly Swank, the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico. The event was live streamed on the NM Political Report Facebook page.
Common Cause New Mexico is a democracy advocacy organization that has an election protection program.
“We work with volunteers who are mostly outside of polling locations that are polling monitors, and they’re our eyes and ears on the ground to identify any issues that may be happening at polling locations,” Swank explained.
One thing new this year is that open carry of firearms will not be permitted near polling locations, including ballot drop boxes.
Curtas outlined the process that the Secretary of State’s Office takes to ensure that elections are secure. This includes multiple verification processes.
Polling locations close at 7 p.m., though people who are in line at that time will still be able to vote and Common Cause New Mexico encourages people to remain in line.
But while races are often called that same night, counting of ballots takes longer.
“Vote counting is never complete on election night,” Curtassaid.
“That is very important. Something that I’m always telling the press and we’re really trying to get out there and people because again, it’s part of the way that people can misinform voters and mischaracterize the process. No one ever in any state in the United States of America is finished with their vote counting on election night. There are always more ballots to be counted.”
Even the results that are available on election night and the following days are considered unofficial.
That is because each county has a canvassing board to ensure election integrity. Then the state also has a canvassing board.
Additionally, Curtas said the Secretary of State’s Office contracts with an independent auditor to review the election results.
“We have a very robust process of post election canvassing and auditing in New Mexico that makes our elections extremely accurate,” Curtas said.
NM Political Report will host monthly News and Brews events through the end of 2024.
If you have ideas for a topic on a future News and Brews event, email [email protected].
