Election which can change G/CCS coming Nov. 2
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Cibola prepares to return to the polls this November and elect new members to their school boards, water conservation boards, and lava and soil boards. The election season will see a challenger to the old guard of Cibola County’s school board, in a race which is likely to be the most hotly contested of the season.
Another election?
According to data from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office, off-year election cycles often see less voter participation than the four-year Presidential Elections, and two-year Normal Election cycles.
This election is being held to make sure that the sitting members of various government boards still want to serve, and still have the permission of the people they represent to stay in office.
What seats are up for election?
Several local governments are up for election this year, they are:
Quemado Independent School Board will be electing four school board members, some residents in Cibola County who live in the South may be able to vote in this election. In position number one, Nacona N. Cline is running unopposed. In position number two, Alan K. Guthridge is running unopposed. In position four, Carmelita Maria Chavez is running unopposed. In position five Timothy G Hendricks is running unopposed. Position three is not up for election this year.
Grants Cibola County School District has three school board members up for reelection.
In District One, Emily E. Hunt Dailey runs unopposed. In District Two, a position held by long-term board member Dion Sandoval, who seeks his fifth term in office, Sandoval is being challenged by Aleisha A. Lundstrom. This is only one of two races this election cycle to be contested. In District Three, Ronald Leon Ortiz runs unopposed.
Lava Soil, and Water Conservation Board has two positions up for election. Position Three has one candidate, Michael Edward Stogner. Position Four is also unopposed, Joseph C Desoto running for the seat.
Quemado Water and Soil Conservation District has two positions up for election, Position Three with James Jimbo Williams running unopposed. Position Four has no name on it, according to the Cibola County Clerk’s Office this position was entered by Catron County and does not appear to have any candidates.
McKinley Water and Soil Conservation District has two seats up for election. In Position Three, Larry Winn runs unopposed. In Position Four, Nancy M. Wade runs unopposed.
Salado Soil and Water Conservation District has two positions up for election. Position Three has Jack Bruton running unopposed. In Position Four there is only a place to write-in a candidate on the ballot.
Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District has three seats up for election. In Position Two, Duana M. Draszkiewicz runs unopposed. In Position Three, Paul Joseph Moya runs unopposed. In Position Four, Teresa K. E Smith De Cherif is running against Albert David Shrecengost, the second and final contested election of the season.
Bluewater Water and Sanitation District has three seats up for election. In District One, Bud Amos Spencer runs unopposed. In District Two and Three there is no single candidate, instead both positions are open for write-in candidates.
What are the ballot measures?
A bond question, or ballot measure, asks a voter a question and typically presents them with two options “Yes” and “No”.
Public School Capital Improvements Tax Question will be the first ballot measure presented to the voter. This question is asking for permission to charge every property owner in Cibola County an additional $2 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. If approved the new property tax will be in effect until at minimum 2026. The question states that, if approved, the new tax will pay for improvements to existing schools in the county, maintenance of existing schools, purchase of school vehicles, improvements to internet accessibility, and to purchase new property to house any newly purchased items.
Public School Capital Improvements (2Mill) Tax Question will be the second ballot measure on the ballot, asking for a new property tax of $2 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value. If approved the new property tax would be in effect until at least 2027 and aims to accomplish many of the same objectives as its sister ballot measure, the first Public School Capital Improvements. The difference between this ballot measure and the one above, is that this ballot measure is specific to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs.
Bond questions typically ask voters for permission to release bonds – like loans – which the government will sell to make money for certain projects. The following is the only bond question asked on the ballot.
General Obligation School Bond Question is the only bond question on the ballot. This question asks for permission to approve $950,000 “for the purpose of erecting, remodeling, making additions to and furnishing school buildings,” along with purchasing computer software and hardware.
Important election dates
Early voting began in this election Oct. 5,
• Oct. 5
Voter Registration closes
Early Voting starts at County Clerk’s Office
Absentee ballots will start being mailed out
• Oct. 16
Early Voting in Acoma, Laguna and Ramah one day only
Early voting begins at Old County Complex and ends Oct. 30th. Hours will be Tues. to Sat. 8-4
• Oct. 28
Last date to submit absentee applications
• October 30
Last day of Early Voting
Old County Complex 8-4
County Clerk’s Office 10-6
• November 2
Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., if you are in line at 7 p.m. you can stay in line and vote.
The Cibola Citizen would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Cibola County Clerk’s Office in their help with obtaining information for this story.