New Mexico has seen some of the highest turnover among local election administrators in the country in recent years, according to a new study. But new funding approved in this year鈥檚 legislative session could help stem the tide.
Over 60% of New Mexico counties have lost at least one county clerk since 2020, with some seeing multiple resignations, according to from the Institute for Responsive Government and Center for Tech and Civic Life.
Sam Oliker-Friedland, executive director of the Institute for Responsive Government, said several factors have fueled the churn, including the pandemic and unprecedented harassment and threats.
鈥淐hief among them is a lack of resources that goes to local election officials,鈥� he said.
passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last month takes on that top issue. It ensures the state鈥檚 Election Fund is reimbursed for however much an election costs to run, or $15 million, whichever is less.
鈥淲e are incredibly proud of that,鈥� Oliker-Friedland said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the kind of thing that鈥檚 going to fix the local election turnover problem.鈥�
The law goes into effect in July ahead of the upcoming general election.
The state has also taken a crack at the influence of harassment and threats. , it made intimidating an election worker a fourth degree felony and , largely banned guns at polling sites.
Oliker-Friedland said that while high turnover is a 鈥渨arning sign鈥� that there鈥檚 a problem in how states are supporting election workers, it鈥檚 not all bad.
鈥淥ne of the positives we鈥檙e seeing is that new folks are coming into the space, despite the challenging environments surrounding elections right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese folks are creatively supporting voters in their communities and ensuring elections are secure, accessible and accurate.鈥�
The New Mexico primary is on June 4 ahead of the November 5 general election.
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