Common Cause Denounces Otero County Commission’s Irresponsible Move to Not Certify Primary Election Results

One thing all New Mexicans agree on is everyone across our great state deserves a fair and secure election.  But in Otero County that right is under threat due to a partisan attempt to sow doubt with voters about the integrity of our voting system—including its dedicated election administrators and machines that have been repeatedly tested and independently certified.

“Monday’s vote by the Otero Commission to not certify the results was a vote to willfully break state law, disregard the election code and deprive voters of their basic right to have their votes count,” said Mario Jimenez, campaigns director for Common Cause New Mexico.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver contested the county’s action in the New Mexico Supreme Court Tuesday.

The actions of this irresponsible commission are just the latest in their frightening attempts to undermine the integrity of elections. Earlier, the commission attempted to remove the county’s ballot drop boxes without state authorization and questioned the validity of votes cast on Dominion machines. The recent moves are based on conspiracy theories peddled during the 2020 election; they are not based on any evidence produced by the commission.

“With no legal authority or indication of fraud outside of personal bias and conjecture, the recent decision to not certify our entire state’s primary election results only stands to suppress voters’ will,” said Jimenez.   “We cannot stand by as we watch dangerous misinformation spread, risking not only the voices of Otero County voters, but something larger. If allowed to stand, these actions may embolden other counties around the country and here in New Mexico, to use this same national playbook to disenfranchise the will of the people.

Jimenez said Common Cause supports the action of the Secretary of State and continues to be astounded by the fact that the commissioners took their action when no evidence of voter fraud or tabulation error was produced.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard as equals in the political process.