For the first time….voters in Dona Ana County will be able to cast a ballot on Memorial Day. And it’s part of a larger effort to increase voter turnout in the county.
Voting will take place from 8am to 5pm on Memorial Day at the Dona Ana County Government Center on Motel Boulevard. It’s part of early voting for the New Mexico primary for registered Republicans and Democrats.
And Memorial Day voting is just one of many efforts to increase turnout. On election day, June 7, more Voting Convenience Centers will be available in rural communities…40 in all will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The county has also formed an Election Advisory Council. Chair Dolores Connor told CLC-TV the council hopes to increase voter turnout by ten percent in the primary and general elections.
Along with Conner and others…KRWG Director of Content Fred Martino is part of the election advisory council…and chair of the media and marketing committee. A big focus…increasing voter turnout among young people. KRWG recently hosted voter forums for college and high school age students. For the first time, 17 year old New Mexicans registered as a Republican or Democrat are eligible to vote in the primary if they’ll be 18 by the November election.
And the county clerk’s office has been registering young people and others …. over 300 registered at 14 local high schools…and more than 400 others completed registrations at community events.
If you already have an official state ID, like a driver’s license, you can now register to vote online. You’ll find a link to register on the right side of our home page at www.krwg.org.