Saturday, May 3, 2008

Early primary voting begins

Evelyn Cronce El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

The last day to register to vote in the 2008 primary election in New Mexico is Tuesday, May 6, at 5 p.m. That is also the last day voters can change their party affiliations and the day absentee voting and early voting for the primary elections begin.

Socorro County Clerk Audrey Jaramillo said people can call or come into the office to request an absentee ballot, but the ballots must be mailed to them. To request an absentee ballot by phone, call the County Clerk's Office at 575-835-0423.

The office is located on the first floor of the 7th Judicial District Court House at 200 Church St.

Jaramillo said the early voting machine will not be set up until Monday, May 12, but paper ballots will be available between May 6 and May 12. Paper ballots will be put in a traditional ballot box.

Beginning Saturday, May 17, voters may vote at the alternate voting location. This year, the alternate location is the new Magdalena Senior Center at 500 Ninth St. in Magdalena. There will be no alternate site in the northern part of Socorro County this year. Alternate voting locations are established by the county clerk.

"Fair is fair. It's been (the alternate voting location) in the north forever. Magdalena has never had it," Jaramillo said in response to questions about the site change.

Ideally there would be two alternate voting sites, but Jaramillo said she does not have the staff or the budget to have early voting in both places as well as in the city of Socorro.

Voting hours in Magdalena will be Tuesdays through Fridays, from noon to 8 p.m.; and on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voting hours in Socorro will be during the Clerk's Office regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office will also be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for voting only. No regular business will be conducted on Saturdays.

Democrats will not be voting for a Democratic presidential candidate, but will be voting for a Democratic candidate for all other federal, state and county offices. Republicans will be voting for a Republican candidate for president and all other federal, state and county offices. Voters registered as Independents are not eligible to vote in New Mexico primary elections.

Early voting ends Saturday, May 31. Primary election day is Tuesday, June 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on that day.

ecronce@dchieftain.com

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