A recent poll reveals that a significant majority of residents in Santa Fe and Las Cruces, New Mexico, support ranked choice voting. Commissioned by pro-ranked voting organizations, the survey indicates that 57% of Las Cruces voters and 58% of Santa Fe residents favor retaining the voting system. This poll, conducted by SurveyUSA from November 12 to 16, surveyed 475 residents who participated in the municipal elections earlier this month.
The findings suggest a notable ideological divide regarding ranked choice voting. Among self-identified liberals, support stands at 74%, while 55% of moderates and only 38% of conservatives express approval. In contrast, 53% of conservatives oppose the system. The survey also highlighted demographic trends, showing younger voters are more inclined to support ranked choice voting compared to their older counterparts.
Santa Fe employed ranked choice voting in three elections this year, with results indicating that the winners in two City Council seats and the mayoral race were the candidates who led in the first round. Notably, the mayoral election required seven rounds of counting to determine a victor. The outcomes suggest that the implementation of ranked choice voting did not alter the ultimate results compared to a traditional plurality voting system.
Most respondents in Santa Fe engaged with the ranked choice voting process, with 75% indicating they ranked two or more candidates for mayor. Additionally, 59% reported ranking three or more candidates, reflecting a high level of participation in the system.
Advocates for ranked choice voting view the results as an opportunity to push for its adoption in other regions, particularly in Albuquerque, which is facing an expensive runoff election. Sila Avcil, co-founder and executive director of NM Voters First, argued that the support seen in Santa Fe and Las Cruces serves as a testament to the effectiveness of the ranked choice system. “Albuquerque needs ranked choice voting. If Las Cruces and Santa Fe voters can understand the system and approve of it, then so can Burqueños,” Avcil stated.
In a separate political context, the nomination of Steve Pearce to head the Bureau of Land Management has garnered criticism from various quarters, including Democrats and conservation groups. Pearce, a former Republican congressman from New Mexico, faces opposition not only from those typically aligned against him but also from within his party. Brenner, president of the Southwest Public Policy Institute, expressed concerns about Pearce’s leadership and its impact on the Republican Party’s credibility in New Mexico.
In the wake of controversial comments made by former President Donald Trump, New Mexico’s federal lawmakers condemned his remarks suggesting punishment for Democratic lawmakers who called for military members to refuse illegal orders. The comments followed a video featuring six Democratic lawmakers who are veterans, urging service members to uphold the Constitution. Trump’s response was met with strong backlash.
Representative Teresa Leger Fernández remarked on the seriousness of Trump’s comments, connecting them to the violence seen during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. “We know what Trump’s calls for political violence look like,” she stated, urging for a collective call against such rhetoric. Alongside her, Representative Gabe Vasquez described Trump’s statements as “incredibly dangerous” and “un-American,” advocating for unity among Americans against divisive behavior.
Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with Representative Melanie Stansbury, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for leaders to foster unity rather than division. Their collective condemnation highlights the ongoing tensions in American politics and the challenges faced by lawmakers in addressing issues of political violence and accountability.
