Rio Rancho, NM (KKOB) – Sandoval County officials say absentee ballots involved in a drug contamination incident earlier this month have been cleared for counting and are safe to handle. County Clerk Anne Brady-Romero says none of the ballots affected by the October 16 incident will be spoiled, and all will remain part of the official election count. Homeland Security Investigations detected traces of methamphetamine and fentanyl through swab testing after the substances were discovered inside a ballot box.
The ballot box was then sealed by an Albuquerque Fire Rescue hazmat team and secured for further evaluation. Officials say the incident has not affected election operations.
Meanwhile, early voting remains open across New Mexico through Saturday, October 31, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 3.
