Bernalillo County – Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver and the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners will unveil a new plan to increase the number of registered voters in the county at a joint press conference on the Civic Plaza in celebration of National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m.
The goal of the plan ultimately is to train 250 new third party voter registration agents (VRA) county-wide. Clerk’s office staff and the county commissioners will co-host five public events – one in each district – to train individuals interested in becoming voter registration agents, and will provide general information about voting and elections in Bernalillo County.
Toulouse Oliver says engaging county citizens at the community level will encourage current and potential voters to become more involved in the democratic process.
“Our county commissioners understand that exercising the right to vote is the most powerful way for citizens to have input in their government,” Toulouse Oliver says. “We are confident that by collaborating with each commissioner in his or her district we will see an upswing in the number of fully-trained voter registration agents and, as a result, an increase in voter participation in upcoming Bernalillo County elections.”
Third party voter registration agents are individuals who solicit and provide assistance to another person in the completion of a Voter Registration Form. According to the most recent statistics, there are currently 4,573 certified third party voter registration agents in Bernalillo County, the most of any county in New Mexico. These VRAs have helped 67,809 county residents register to vote, also the highest total in the state. Of the 418,508 registered voters in Bernalillo County, 16.2% were registered by a VRA.
Commissioners released the following statements on the upcoming collaborative efforts:
Commissioner Art De La Cruz (District 2): “I am committed to this collaboration with our county clerk on this important voter outreach education and training project because this effort will offer the public ample opportunities to vote.”
Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins (District 3): “Voter Registration Day reminds all Bernalillo County citizens that our democratic process depends on the exercise of our fundamental right to vote. I encourage all eligible residents of District 3 to take this opportunity to register to vote and to cast their vote in all upcoming elections so their voices will be heard on important issues such as job creation, education, and public safety. "
Commissioner Wayne Johnson (District 5): “In our representative form of government, voting is our voice which allows us to shape our future. It is the vehicle by which we are heard and the process by which we hold our elected officials accountable. National Voter Registration Day serves to remind us that we must take our responsibility seriously, register to vote and then vote.”
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About Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 674,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras and the 111,000 residents who live outside the village and city limits in the unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget and capital investments of more than $500 million. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.