New Mexico Surpasses 2014 Voter Turnout Numbers – Associated Press
Hours before polls close, New Mexico's voter turnout numbers have surpassed those from the last midterm election in 2014.
New Mexico officials say more than 527,000 ballots have been cast by those who voted absentee, early in person or on Election Day. The numbers released by the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office reflect available voter data as of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The more than 375,000 votes cast at sites across the state before Tuesday accounted for the biggest share of ballots.
At least 89,000 people so far have voted on Election Day.
Registered Democrats comprise just more than half of the voters, casting 51 percent of ballots. Registered Republicans made up 34 percent of the electorate based on early numbers and independents accounted for 14 percent.
Nearly 520,000 people total voted in 2014.
More than 600,000 voted in 2010.
Polls are open until 7 p.m. Voters in line by 7 will be able to vote and anyone finding long lines at their precincts in Bernalillo, Chavez, Doña Ana, Eddy, Lee, Luna, Roosevelt, Sandoval, San Juan, Santa Fe and Valencia counties can instead cast ballots at any polling station in those counties.
Trial Of New Mexico Man Indicted In Shooting Rampage Moves – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
A judge has moved the trial of a man accused of killing multiple people in a shooting rampage in northern New Mexico last year.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the trial of Damian Herrera, who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and a number of other felonies, will move to Santa Fe County.
His attorney Michael Rosenfield requested the change of venue, arguing the "emotionality" in Rio Arriba County would affect the jury pool and prevent a fair trial.
Judge Jason Lidyard sided with Rosenfield on Monday despite opposition from prosecutors.
Herrera is accused of fatally shooting his stepfather, his brother and his mother in the small community of Madera and then killing strangers in Tres Piedras and Abiquiu.
New Mexico Voters Decide On Governor As Polls Open -Associated Press
Polls are opening across New Mexico as voters decide on the state's next governor, a U.S. Senate seat, representation in Congress and a string of statewide offices.
Balloting began Tuesday as two member of Congress compete to be governor. Democratic Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican Congressman Steve Pearce were vying to succeed termed-out Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
A congressional district bordering Mexico is among the more competitive races in state, with Republican state lawmaker Yvette Herrell facing Democratic attorney Xochitl Torres Small.
Polls are scheduled to close at 7 p.m., when absentee ballots also are due.
Election regulators say several independent groups have appointed election watchers and observers to safeguard against fraud and unintentional problems or conduct research.
New Mexico Election Spurs Rise In Early Voter Participation - By Morgan Lee, Associated Press
New Mexico candidates for governor, a lone Senate seat and two open congressional districts barnstormed through major cities Monday to rally supporters in the wake of record-breaking early voter turnout.
More than 430,000 ballots were cast before the close of early voting Saturday, up from about 255,000 in the 2010 midterm election, the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office announced. Gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham made weekend campaign appearances alongside incumbent Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich in Democratic strongholds of Las Cruces and Las Vegas, New Mexico.
A poll published in the Albuquerque Journal showed Lujan Grisham with a substantial lead over Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce. Pearce, a former Air Force pilot and oilfield entrepreneur, focused campaigning Monday in Albuquerque, the state's largest city.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Pearce dismissed polls showing him behind, arguing there will be better than expected turnout among Republicans and Democrats who will cross over for him. "You're going to be surprised," he promised.
But confident Democrats late Monday were already boasting that they had an edge in early voting and ended a rally in Albuquerque's historic Hispanic South Valley by dancing to Kool & The Gang's "Celebration."
Top Races In New Mexico's General Election - Associated Press
New Mexico voters will pick the state's next governor to replace a termed-out Republican in Tuesday's election and fill a long list of statewide offices.
The state House is up for election as Democrats defend their majority.
In federal races, voters are deciding a three-way Senate race and filling three congressional seats, including two with no incumbent. Ballot issues include a constitutional amendment to create an independent state ethics commission.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Absentee ballots are due by 7 p.m. at Election Day polling places or county clerks' offices.
Suspect Killed In Confrontation With Albuquerque Police - Associated Press
Albuquerque police are investigating the scene where officers shot and killed an armed suspect.
The incident occurred Sunday afternoon at an apartment complex near Louisiana Boulevard and Gibson.
Police spokesman Simon Drobik says 911 calls reported that multiple shots had been fired in the complex.
Investigators say there was a confrontation between a man with a gun and responding officers and that one officer fired a weapon.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other injuries.
Drobik says the officer who fired a weapon has been placed on paid administrative leave.
This marks the fourth fatal officer-involved shooting this year.