Recent turnout data shows local races and public funding questions are often decided by a small share of residents
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – In Cibola County, elections are often decided by a much smaller group of people than the county’s total population might suggest.
Recent election data shows that while Cibola County has a population of roughly 27,000 people, the number of residents casting ballots is often much smaller - especially in local elections where city councils, school boards, tax questions and public services are decided.
According to U.S. Census population estimates for Cibola County, the county had an estimated population of 26,686 people in 2024 and 26,807 people in 2025. The 2020 Census counted 27,172 people in the county.
But in the 2024 General Election, Cibola County saw 9,017 ballots cast out of 15,408 eligible voters, for a turnout of 58.52 percent, according to voter turnout data from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office. That means even in a presidential election year, about one-third of the county’s total population cast a ballot.
The number of actual voters is lower in midterm elections, and much lower in local elections.
Voter Participation is Low
From 2014 through 2024, Cibola County’s general election turnout ranged from 5,775 ballots in 2014 to 9,017 ballots in 2024, according to data from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Over those six general elections, the county averaged about 7,658 ballots cast.
Presidential election years brought out more voters, with 8,134 ballots cast in 2016, 8,945 in 2020 and 9,017 in 2024.
Midterm years were lower, with 5,775 ballots cast in 2014, 7,188 in 2018 and about 6,889 in 2022.
Those numbers show a pattern felt nationwide: more people vote when presidential races are on the ballot, fewer vote during midterms and far fewer participate in local elections.
The 2025 Regular Local Election made that clear. Official results from the New Mexico Secretary of State showed Cibola County cast 2,623 ballots out of 16,142 eligible voters, for a turnout of 16.24 percent.
That election carried major local consequences
In the 2025 Grants District 1 City Council race, Dolores Vallejos received 133 votes, Zachery Gutierrez received 130 votes, and Bob Tenequer received 81 votes. The top two candidates were separated by just three votes. That race later became part of a larger city governance issue after questions were raised about officeholder qualifications, but the election result itself shows the larger turnout lesson: in local races, a handful of voters can determine who sits on a governing body.
Recent Close Races
That was not the first time a local race in Cibola County came down to only a few votes.
In the March 2022 municipal election, the Grants mayoral race was decided by eight votes. Erik Garcia received 528 votes, while Clemente Sanchez received 520. The total number of votes cast in that mayoral race was 1,376.
The same election also showed how small local electorates can shape village leadership. In Milan, Felix Gonzales won reelection as mayor with 112 votes, compared to 92 votes for Manuel Molina.
The 2025 local election also included public funding questions. The Grants Cibola County Schools capital improvements tax question passed with 1,543 votes in favor and 588 against – 2,131 total votes. The Cibola General Hospital mill levy passed with 1,927 votes in favor and 523 against – 2,450 total votes.
Both measures affected public institutions serving residents across the county. Both were decided by fewer than 2,500 voters.
Local elections often draw fewer voters than presidential or statewide elections. But the data does show how much power is held by those who actually participate, particularly in municipal races.