The voters have spoken: Statewide results – that are available - can be found HERE.

We are celebrating the election being over and the end of campaign commercials. Millions of dollars poured into the state to influence races and the vast majority of it was used for negative ads. Finally – it’s over!

DO THE DEAD REALLY VOTE IN NM? One person living in Bernalillo County decided to show how easy it is to apply for and receive an absentee ballot for a dead person.

The NM Secretary of State’s office was notified yesterday that three absentee ballots were mailed to one address based on names and dates of birth that had been taken from the Albuquerque Journal Obituaries. The ballots were turned over to the FBI by the NM SOS for investigation. More on the Bernalillo County dead voter absentee ballots HERE.

The LAST thing a NM voter needs to hear when they show up to vote is, “Sorry, you’ve already voted.” It happened in Bernalillo County in 2012 and recently it happened in Rio Arriba County. Requiring a voter to have photo identification would prevent this type of voter disenfranchisement and increase the integrity of our elections.

GOTV: It’s time to Get Out The Vote New Mexico! It’s important that you take time from your busy schedule to vote. Do someone a favor and take them with you.

Be Prepared for Full Ballots: The ballots are very long in some counties due, in particular, to bond issues and judges. The New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) recommends that you get prepared to vote by looking at your sample ballot before going into vote. This will give you time to carefully consider the issues and candidates and research those for which you need more information.

This has been an incredibly nasty election cycle. Many candidates - from both parties - have put out information that is sometimes incorrect or misleading. Recent campaign information from Rep Antonio “Moe” Maestas, seeking re-election in NM House District 16, goes to a whole new level.

What does $10.10, 1.29 million and a NY billionaire have in common? They all relate to the New Mexico general election currently underway. Here are the details:

Las Cruces Elected Officials Pushing for $10.10/hour wage: The Las Cruces City Council will take up the minimum wage issue tonight. Mayor Ken Miyagishima, who favors moving the wage to $10.10, has said the public WILL NOT be able to comment on the issue. "This work session is not to hear the pros and cons of why they feel this should go through.”

Quite a Stir over the New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) suggesting voters THINK before they vote on Bond Issues. Yesterday the NMBC put out an email titled “Just Say No.” Wow, did we get some voters thinking!

The NMBC received positive feedback on how refreshing it is to have a business group that actually thinks through the issues. We also heard from some who question why anyone would consider not supporting bond issues. It’s GREAT to get so many voters and the business community tuned in to a frank discussion on the issues.

New Mexico Voters --- Sometimes saying “NO” is the responsible thing to do. Some examples:

Constitutional Amendment 4 – Change criteria for “Urban Counties”. NO

This is specifically written for Bernalillo County because no other county in the state qualifies. It will increase government costs at the county level and reduce voter requirements to make changes. With the poor decisions coming out of the county against the will of Commissioners Johnson and Talbot, the last thing we need is to give some members of the Bernalillo County Commission more power!