CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – The June 2 primary election is here, and the decisions made by residents of Cibola County will shape what the ballot looks like in November. Several local races will shape county government, public safety, and the courts – and a handful of contests are especially crowded.
Election Day is Tuesday, June 2, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can check their registration, sample ballot, and polling location at NMVote.org, or contact the Cibola County Clerk’s Office.
Below is a race-byrace breakdown of the local and area contests most relevant to Cibola County voters.
Cibola County
Commission
Two county commission seats are on the ballot this year: District 1 and District 3. These are district- based races, meaning you will only vote in the commissioner contest for the district where you are registered.
District 1: Marty R. Vigil, Richard Allen Cerno, Robert J. Armijo are all seeking election to this seat.
There is no Republican candidate for this race.
District 3: Michael W. Lewis (D), Stanley E. Michael (D), George Rodriguez (D), Robert Francis Horacek (D), Martin M. Vigil (D). The winner of the Democrat primary will advance to the November election.
Erik Omar Garcia is the lone Republican in this race and will advance to November’s election.
Cibola County Sheriff
The sheriff race is a countywide contest that appears on ballots across Cibola County.
Larry D. Diaz is the lone Democrat in this race. Aaron Henry Baca is the lone Republican in this race.
Cibola County Assessor
The assessor oversees property valuation for tax purposes, a role that affects property owners across the county.
Jenna M. Rodriguez is the sole candidate in this election, she is a Democrat.
Cibola County Probate Judge
The probate judge position is also elected countywide.
There are three Democratic candidates for this office: Marie Martinez-Garcia, Josephine E. Hur- tado, Corrine C. Padilla.
Cibola County Magistrate Judge
Magistrate judges serve in the county’s lower courts. Cibola County voters will see the following contests:
Division 1: Tony L. Mace (D) is the sole candidate for this office.
Division 2: Jessica M. Melonas (D), Michael Chris Cavin (D), Dominic John Pargas (D) are all seeking the Democratic nomination to this seat, the victor will face the republican candidate in November.
Robert Scott Windhorst, former Cibola County Commissioner and Grants Code Enforcer is the sole Republican candidate. He will advance to the November election.
State Representative
Two state House districts affecting local voters are on the ballot.
House District 6: There are four Democrat candidates for this race Martha Garcia, David L. Alcon, Johnny Valdez, and Priscilla Benally.
The winner of the Democratic contest will run against Paul Spencer, a Republican from Bluewater Village.
House District 69: There are two candidates for this race. No Republican chose to run for this seat.
Incumbent Michelle Pauline Abeyta (D) of Thoreau is seeking re-election to this seat. Harry Garica (D) of Grants is also seeking election to this seat.
City of Grants
Residents of the City of Grants should be aware that Grants City Council is debating a resolution May 27 at 4 p.m. that would add a question to the November General Election ballot that would add questions to the ballots residents of Grants receive.
The City of Grants Council is looking to amend the Grants City Charter and is presenting a few options to council on Wednesday. Council has the option to place these charter questions on the November General Election ballot.
As voters prepare to cast ballots, the county clerk’s office and NMVote.org remain the best tools for confirming which districts and contests appear on an individual voter’s ballot – especially for district-based races like county commission and state representative.
Your Vote is Your Voice, and Your Voice Matters!