Santa Fe, NM — Observe New Mexico Elections (ONME), a nonpartisan election observation organization, strongly disagrees with recent comments by national and state political leaders, alleging that New Mexico’s elections are corrupt or fail to comply with federal election laws.
“Anyone who claims that New Mexico’s election process is corrupt should bring forth the evidence,” said Carmen Lopez, Co-Lead of Observe New Mexico Elections. “Accusations without evidence undermine public confidence and do a disservice to the election workers and volunteers who ensure our elections run fairly. Based on ONME’s statewide, on-the-ground observations, New Mexicans have strong reason to be confident in the way elections are administered.”
ONME spearheaded poll observation efforts during New Mexico’s 2025 municipal elections, observing the preparation and conduct of key local electoral processes as well as the certification of results. Trained observers monitored poll worker training, logic and accuracy testing (where voting machines are tested to confirm they are counting accurately), absentee ballot processing, early voting, and Election Day voting.
ONME trains nonpartisan election observers across the state to monitor elections in their own communities and ensure compliance with election law. During the 2024 election cycle, observers arrived at polling places before opening, remained through closing, and observed election workers throughout the day without interfering in the electoral process. In total, 160 trained New Mexicans observed elections in 29 of the state’s 33 counties.
During this fall’s municipal elections, 111 ONME observers were stationed at 106 polling sites in 11 municipalities, from Carlsbad to Farmington and Gallup to Albuquerque.
Observers consistently reported that election processes were smooth and well-administered, polling locations opened and closed on time, and voters were able to cast ballots securely and without disruption.
ONME’s observations focus on whether elections are conducted according to law, whether safeguards are followed, and whether voters are able to participate freely and securely. In the elections observed, those standards were met. These findings confirm that New Mexico’s municipal elections were run efficiently, securely, and with transparency. These findings reflect what is possible when election officials, poll workers, and community members work together to uphold public trust.
About Observe New Mexico Elections (ONME)
The mission of Observe New Mexico Elections is to increase transparency and trust in New Mexico’s elections by training and mobilizing nonpartisan election observers throughout the state. Observers report on election laws and procedures, without interfering in the electoral process. Findings from their observations will be compiled to assess the overall quality of elections in New Mexico.
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