THE NUMBERS AT 8:00 TUESDAY MORNING FROM THE BERNALILLO COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE SHOWS 181-THOUSAND-839 RESIDENTS VOTED EARLY THIS YEAR. MORE THAN HALF A MILLION NEW MEXICANS VOTED EARLY OR ABSENTEE IN THE STATE … A RECORD. BUT SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD WINTER TELLS US IT’S UNCLEAR IF IT WILL MEAN A RECORD TURNOUT ON ELECTION DAY.
WINTER’S OFFICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT TO COUNTY CLERKS TO ENSURE A FAIR ELECTION.
MEANWHILE, ON THIS ELECTION DAY, VOTERS IN RIO RANCHO AND SANDOVAL COUNTY HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES TO DECIDE BESIDES WHO WILL BE OUR PRESIDENT. TWO STATE HOUSE AND THREE STATE SENATE SEATS ARE ON THE BALLOT, ALONG WITH TWO SANDOVAL COUNTY COMMISSION POSITIONS, COUNTY TREASURER AND COUNTY CLERK.
ONE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE IS THE EXTENSION OF THE SANDOVAL COUNTY HOSPITAL MILL LEVY FIRST PASSED EIGHT YEARS AGO. IT PROVIDES NEARLY 13 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR THE PRESBYTERIAN RUST MEDICAL CENTER AND SANDOVAL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.
