GRANTS, N.M. – At the November 5 election, Cibola County voters will have the opportunity to shape the state’s future with eight statewide ballot measures, including four constitutional amendments that could alter property tax exemptions for veterans and how elected county officer’s salaries are set.
New Mexico has a tight relationship with ballot measures – which is just another way for saying “questions” – that sees the question pass approximately 82 percent of ballot measures since 1994. Each of these questions intends to amend the state constitution in some way.
Key Ballot Measures
1. Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Amendment: Proposed by Cibola’s own state representatives, Eliseo 'Lee' Alcon (D, HD6) and Harry Garcia (D, HD69), both veterans themselves, this amendment seeks to proportionally apply property tax exemptions based on a veteran’s disability rating, potentially lowering taxes for disabled veterans or their surviving spouses.
2. Increase Veteran Property Tax Exemption Amendment: Also proposed by Alcon and Garcia, this measure would increase the property tax exemption for veterans from $4,000 to $10,000, adjusted annually for inflation.
3. Judicial Nominating Commission Amendment: Another constitutional amendment on the ballot would authorize a designee from the University of New Mexico Law School to serve as chair of the judicial nominating commission, aiming to enhance the commission's governance.
4. County Officer Salaries Amendment: Voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow county commissioners to set salaries for county officers, a change from the current system where the state legislature sets these salaries. This measure also mandates that fees collected by the county be deposited directly into the county treasury. A county officer is someone like the Cibola County treasurer, assessor, sheriff, commissioner, and probate judge.
Bond Measures to Fund Public Services
Voters will also consider four bond issues totaling $290.6 million aimed at improving public infrastructure and services. Some of this money, but certainly not all or even most, will come to Cibola County: Senior Citizens Facilities: $30.76 million to improve facilities for senior citizens.
Public Libraries: $19.31 million to support public libraries.
Public Education: $230.26 million to enhance facilities at public higher education institutions, special schools, and tribal schools.
Public Safety Communications: $10.3 million to modernize public safety radio communications systems.
Voting Rights
New Mexico operates under a closed primary system, where only registered party members may vote in their respective party’s primaries. However, the general election – which is upcoming in November – allows all registered voters to weigh in on these important issues.
Historically, from 1994 to 2022, New Mexico has seen a high approval rate for ballot measures, with 103 out of 125 measures passing. This trend underscores the impactful role of voter participation in shaping state policies. New Mexico’s voter participation is pitiful, with only 22.8 percent of registered voters actually voting in the June primary. Better but still low, in Cibola County, 28 percent of registered voters actually voted in the primary.
Cibola County residents are encouraged to review these measures thoroughly before heading to the polls. Voting on these issues not only affects the immediate fiscal landscape but also sets the groundwork for future legislative and community developments.
Early voting started October 8, check this page for information on how, when, and where to vote.
Election day is set for November 5, 2024, with early voting options available. For more details on polling places and voter registration, contact the Cibola County Clerk’s Office at (505) 285-2535.