Election Protection

PROTECTING OUR ELECTIONS TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY

New Mexican voters should feel safe and supported as they cast their votes. This year, we’re ramping up our efforts and beginning to train volunteers over the summer in advance of early voting.

In 2008, Common Cause New Mexico created a nonpartisan voter protection program that seeks to ensure that every eligible New Mexico voter who wants to vote can and that every vote is counted accurately. Our Election Protection program is not affiliated with any party, candidate or issue campaign.

Voters who experience any difficulties while voting are encouraged to use the following hotlines to get live advice from our attorneys. These hotlines will be connected to response teams on the ground to address problems as they occur.

Trained poll watchers are an integral part of the project. Poll watchers are volunteers who assist voters in obtaining information about accessing the ballot box. After attending a one-hour training, they will have answers to voters’ frequently asked questions and have websites and toll-free numbers on hand to direct voters for additional assistance.

You can sign up for one or more of the volunteer roles below:

1. Poll Watcher: Monitors the polling location from inside the poll site. Volunteers will be provided PPE to support voters at the polls in person. Pre-registration is necessary to obtain needed information and to receive poll assignments. By state law, to be a poll watcher, you must: be registered to vote in the County, not be a candidate, law officer, or close relative (spouse, parent, child, sibling, or in-law) of a candidate, certified by the Secretary of State (Common Cause NM Election Protection program will notify the Secretary of State and send the certification letter to the poll watcher).

2. Absentee Board Poll Watcher: Monitoring the acceptance of absentee ballots but the board as well as ensure ballots are properly qualified and counted.  By state law, to be a poll watcher, you must: be registered to vote in the County, not be a candidate, law officer, or close relative (spouse, parent, child, sibling, or in-law) of a candidate, certified by the Secretary of State (Common Cause NM Election Protection program will notify the Secretary of State and send the certification letter to the poll watcher).

3. Poll Monitor: Volunteers will be provided PPE to support voters at the polls in person and connect voters who are denied the ballot to legal resources and answer questions for voters.

4. Roving Poll Monitor: Use a checklist to drive (or bike!) between polling places and check on lines, signage, and poll preparation. Report back to HQ on any problems at the polls that need to be solved.

5. Social Media Monitor: Identify voters who are posting on social media about problems voting, connecting them to resources and support, and reporting vote-related mis/disinformation.

6. 866-OUR VOTE Hotline Monitor: *Must be a law student, licensed attorney, or have a legal background* Respond and field calls from voters concerning election deadlines, trouble at the polls, and other issues and track and record information accordingly.

7. Voter Contact: Use text banking and phone banking tools to talk to thousands of voters to give them accurate voting information and support.

Our right to vote is a privilege and a responsibility. The right to vote and have our voices heard is fundamental to our democracy. Our democracy is stronger when every eligible Americans participates, confident that when they cast a vote that it will be counted as cast, that the process is secure, and that anyone who interferes or tampers with our elections will be held accountable.

Use our collection of free, nonpartisan voting tools to:

• Register to vote
• Check or verify your voter registration status
• Request an absentee ballot
• Get reminders for upcoming elections
• If you have a felony conviction, learn if you are eligible to vote

(Note: these tools are hosted at nonprofit, nonpartisan partner organizations)