New Mexico Board Certifies 2024 Election Results and Initiates Recounts

The New Mexico State Canvass Board certified the 2024 general election results, ordering automatic recounts for the State Representative District 57 and Los Alamos County Commissioner races. The board, comprised of key state officials, reported a voter turnout of 67.13% from 1,382,761 registered voters. Another meeting is scheduled for December 16 to finalize recount results.

On Tuesday, the New Mexico State Canvass Board officially certified the results of the 2024 general election during its convened meeting. This board, which comprises Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, and New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson, unanimously affirmed the election’s outcomes through the signing of the certificate of canvass. Furthermore, the board mandated automatic recounts in two competitive races: one for State Representative District 57 and another for Los Alamos County Commissioner (At-Large).
In the State Representative District 57 race, Republican candidate Catherine Cullen garnered 8,374 votes, while her opponent, Democrat Michelle Sandoval, received 8,244 votes, triggering the need for a recount. Similarly, in the Los Alamos County Commissioner contest, Democrats Ryan Herrmann and Beverly Neal-Clinton and Republican David Reagor were the leading candidates, capturing 6,122, 5,724, and 5,270 votes respectively, out of a total of 26,511 ballots cast. The board is scheduled to reconvene on December 16 to review the results of these automatic recounts.
The New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State reported notable voter engagement in this election cycle, with a total of 1,382,761 registered voters. Approximately 928,290 participated, representing a turnout of 67.13%. Of this turnout, 12% utilized absentee ballots, while early voting accounted for almost 60%. Additionally, there were 52,358 same-day voter registrations on both early voting days and Election Day, demonstrating an increased accessibility for voters.

The New Mexico State Canvass Board plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process by certifying election results. This process involves reviewing voting outcomes and ordering recounts in closely contested races to verify the accuracy of the votes counted. The board’s unanimous decision to certify the 2024 general election results reaffirms the state’s commitment to a transparent and fair electoral process. With significant voter turnout and multiple recounts anticipated, these actions underscore the importance of voter participation and the scrutiny of elections in maintaining public confidence in democratic outcomes.

In summary, the New Mexico State Canvass Board’s certification of the 2024 general election results marks a pivotal moment in the electoral process, bolstering public confidence in the state’s commitment to fair elections. The decision to conduct automatic recounts in closely contested races highlights the diligence with which the board approaches its responsibilities. With impressive voter turnout statistics and an upcoming meeting to finalize recount outcomes, New Mexico continues to set an example of electoral integrity and citizen engagement.

Original Source: www.kob.com