Transcript Overview of Changes to the Soil and Water Conservation

Soil and Water
Conservation
Agricultural Programs and
DistrictResources
SupervisorDivision
Election Rules
New Mexico Department of
Agriculture
New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Eligible Voter
• “shall mean a person who is registered to
vote in New Mexico pursuant to the
provisions of the Election Code, and
resides within the soil and water
conservation district for which the election
is being conducted”
• Landowner status is no longer used to
determine voter eligibility
Election
• “shall mean an election held at one or
more designated polling places which
will be open a minimum of eight hours.
Due notice must be given. Absentee
voting as provided in these rules is
permitted”
County Clerk Cooperation
• “Supervisors shall call upon the county
clerk of a county within which all or a part
of the district lands are located for advice
and assistance with conduct of elections
and referenda”
When should the Election
Superintendent be appointed?
• “At least 60 days prior to the election,
appoint an election superintendent”
• “Assure that candidates for office do not
serve as election superintendent or on the
canvassing board”
• This person must be in place to oversee
absentee balloting
Election Superintendent Duties
• Assure that all absentee ballots requested by
voter in writing were sent. If election is
cancelled, notify absentee voters.
• Conduct the voting during the period stated in
the election notice.
• Prepare a complete list of all persons voting.
• Prepare documentation regarding all challenges.
• Assist the canvassing board.
Canvassing Board
• “shall mean the persons appointed by the
commission to certify and publish the
election results, and give the commission
notice of their canvass”
Canvassing Board
• Composed of a minimum of three
members
• Owner of land within the district who is
not a supervisor
• A supervisor of the district
• A local elected official or their designee
What does the Canvassing
Board Do?
• establish appropriate procedures for securing,
transporting, storing opening and tallying ballot boxes
• resolve any challenges of voter eligibility or conduct of
election
• certify election results and report results to the SWCC in
Las Cruces within seven calendar days following
completion of their canvass”
• cancel the election “upon being notified by the board of
supervisors that no more than one candidate has filed a
declaration of candidacy for each position to be filled,
and there are no other questions on the ballot”.
When do Elections Occur?
• The board of supervisors will “Conduct a
supervisor election on the first Tuesday in
May of even-numbered years to fill
positions designated by the soil and water
conservation commission as being eligible
for election”
Who is eligible for election?
• Supervisor positions 1,2 & 5 have been
designated by the Soil and Water
Conservation Commission as eligible for
election on May 2, 2006
How do We Advertise the
Election?
• The board of supervisors will “Provide for
“due notice” of the election. There must
be two notices: the first notice between 51
and 65 days before the election and the
second notice between 23 and 37 days
before the election”
How do Candidates Declare
Their Candidacy?
• Information regarding declaration of
candidacy must be included in the election
notices
• “Prepare and make available declaration
of candidacy forms to persons who
request them”
• The information required on a
declaration of candidacy form is in the
election rules
When do Candidates Declare
Their Candidacy?
• Declarations of
candidacy must be
delivered to the
designated place 49
days before the
election in order for
the candidates name
to appear on the
ballot
• if any persons have
declared their intent
to be a write-in
candidate on the
appropriate
declaration form filed
42days prior to the
election. Such
persons shall not be
entitled to have their
name printed on the
ballot.
What if no one files a
declaration of candidacy?
• “In the event that no more than one
candidate has filed a declaration of
candidacy for each position to be filled,
the board of supervisors shall certify such
facts to the canvassing board. If there are
no other questions on the ballot the
canvassing board shall cancel the election
as provided by these rules”
What happens After the
Election is Cancelled?
• “The election superintendent shall notify
applicants for absentee ballots of the
cancellation”
• “Unopposed candidates will assume the
office of supervisor according to the Soil
and Water Conservation District Act”
What happens After the
Election is Cancelled?
• “In the case that there are no candidates
for a position, current supervisors
continue in office until their successors are
elected or appointed as in the case of any
other vacancy”
How Many Polling Officials?
• “Assure that all polling places are staffed with
at least two polling officials during the entire
voting period”
• At least one of the officials must not be a
district supervisor, district employee,
candidate, or immediate family member of
any of the aforementioned
How Long do we have to keep
the Election Records?
• Canvass of return sheets” PermanentMaintained by the SWCC
• Ballots- 45 days after adjournment of
canvassing board
• All other records-three years after election
to which they apply.
How Does Absentee Balloting
Work?
• “Eligible voters wishing to vote absentee
must fill out an absentee ballot
application”
• “Absentee ballots applications must be
available by mail, by phone, and in person
only, beginning 30 days before the
election until 20 days before the election
How Does Absentee Balloting
Work?
• “Only one absentee ballot application
may be issued per eligible voter”
• “upon receipt of the completed
application and determination of the
voters eligibility an absentee ballot will be
furnished”
• “The district must mail out requested
absentee ballots at least 15 days before the
election”
How Does Absentee Balloting
Work?
• “Absentee ballots must be distributed by
the district with two envelopes, with a
serial number and voter certification
information on the outside of the larger
envelope. Districts shall maintain an
absentee ballot register by serial number”
How Does Absentee Balloting
Work?
• “All unused absentee ballots shall be
destroyed immediately following the close
of the absentee balloting period. The
destruction shall be certified by the
Election Superintendent , and one polling
official”
• “Absentee ballots will not be issued if the
election is cancelled pursuant to these
rules”
When is the List of Eligible
Voters Obtained?
• “Prepare a list of eligible voters 28 days
prior to the election.
What is a Challenge Ballot &
What is it For?
• “Persons who are not on the eligible voter
list and cannot show proof of eligibility
must complete a challenge ballot”
• “A challenge ballot shall consist of a paper
ballot, a plain envelope, and a voter
certification form printed on a larger
envelope”