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Early voting begins in New Mexico

Voters line up to cast their ballot at the Doña Ana County Government Center.
Courtney Hill
/
KRWG
Voters line up to cast their ballot at the Doña Ana County Government Center.

U.S. Congressman Gabe Vasquez was greeted with applause as he spoke to supporters in Las Cruces. Before leading a group to vote at the Doña Ana County Government Center, Vasquez said the number of community members who showed up was a big confidence booster.

“The type of turnout that we had here today shows how energized Democrats are to get out the vote. I think these volunteers that are here today that are going to help us throughout the campaign are really the key to winning. It’s not about a candidate like myself. It’s about a collective movement of New Mexicans in this district who are going to help us cross the finish line.”

Gabe Vasquez addresses supporters at a local Las Cruces restaurant before walking over to the polling location at the County's Government Center.
Courtney Hill
/
KRWG
Gabe Vasquez addresses supporters at a local Las Cruces restaurant before walking over to the polling location at the County's Government Center.

Meanwhile, Republican challenger and former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell has been working to get out the vote for her own campaign, and said she’s been having productive conversations with voters throughout the district.

“I think party affiliation sometimes gets in the way of good policy discussions, and so it’s time I think we start being honest about what we need and how we need to fix some of these issues, and not let the talking heads or the mainstream media narrate the future for us and tell us how to vote or what to think. We need to do that on our own, and I believe most voters are feeling that way,” Herrell said.

At the polling location inside the Doña Ana County Government Center, hundreds of people showed up to vote, including Las Cruces resident Charlie Hurley, who said he’s happy to take advantage of the early voting window provided by the state.

“The reason I’m doing it is because we have the opportunity to come out a month early to cast that ballot. There’s really, in my opinion, no excuse if you’re already registered to vote, to get it done within that 30-day window,” Hurley said.

Hundreds of voters showed to the Doña Ana County Government Center on the first morning of early voting for New Mexico.
Courtney Hill
/
KRWG
Hundreds of voters showed to the Doña Ana County Government Center on the first morning of early voting for New Mexico.

October 8 is the final day for New Mexicans to register to vote by mail or online, but eligible voters who aren’t registered can still do so at their local county clerk’s office or early voting polling locations all the way through election day.

Do you have questions about this year’s upcoming election? If so, visit the KRWG News Election Center! Here, you can find essential voting information, candidate interviews, and give your thoughts on issues most important to your community as it relates to the general election. Our goal is to amplify your voice and answer any questions you might have when it comes to voting and holding our public officials accountable.

 

 

Jonny Coker is a Multimedia Journalist for KRWG Public Media. He has lived in Southern New Mexico for most of his life, growing up in the small Village of Cloudcroft, and earning a degree in Journalism and Media Studies at New Mexico State University.
Courtney Hill is a Senior TV Producer for KRWG Public Media. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Business from Knox College in 2017. After graduating he worked in the college's communications office which rekindled his love for video production before moving to Malaysia to teach English with Fulbright.