Local elections typically bring lower turnouts than national contests. But the Bernalillo County Clerk reported Tuesday evening it was over 34% around 8:30 p.m. And in Albuquerque, the energy was high as voters voted for mayor and odd-numbered city council districts.
After serving two consecutive terms, is battling five other candidates to keep his seat.
Caitlyn Oliver-Brown is 29 years old and has only lived in New Mexico for a year, but said her parents drilled into her how important local elections truly are. She voted for , a candidate who has focused on reaching out to younger folks.
鈥淪ince Keller is running for his third term, I figure, you know, every so often we do need a fresh face in the office,鈥� Oliver-Brown said.
Also on the ballots are bonds allocating funds for public schools, police department infrastructure, libraries, and so much more are being voted on today as well.
Isaiah ParisienCrowe is 29 and works at the University of New Mexico. He said local elections are important for the community, and it鈥檚 bigger than himself.
鈥淚鈥檓 lucky. I have a great job, I have stable income, I鈥檓 not everybody else,鈥� he said, 鈥淛ust because I鈥檓 well off doesn鈥檛 mean somebody shouldn鈥檛 be able to afford just basic necessities in life. It鈥檚 a communal effort,鈥�
The give voters the chance to offer input on where to allocate funds in Albuquerque鈥檚 budget.
The are open until 7 p.m. across the city. More information on mayoral candidates is available here.
