06/15/2022
Torrance County Commission Meeting, June 8th
In public comment provisional voting seemed to go well and the poll workers maintained civility. That was also my experience.
Election integrity issues came up here and in discussion during commission updates. While the local handling of the election was trusted, questions were raised on how the state's part in the process were raised.
On the county level there were 2 drop boxes that received a total of one ballot. These have 3 keys and a camera. When a ballot is received, it must be retrieved within 24 hours.
The county attorney read the election code and what actions can result in a 4th degree felony; including bribes, voting more than once, intimidation, violence and cohesion.
Stated in discussion: (1) Errors have been found in electronic voting machines in other locations. (2) Machines have been programmed for ranked choice, which is not an option in New Mexico. (3) The state website does not represent the voting machines as being up to date. As of date no answer was received as to the the version or update of machines used. (4) Questions were raised as to the possibility of hacking voting machines.
The error mentioned was one vote out of about 75 ballots, although other ballot checks from other locations reported errors according to comment.
Also was stated that to warrant a ballot investigation was to show there is reasonable proof to begin such an investigation.
Two other issues are how to create a effective way to check any election and the present Secretary of State supported a ballot choice to vote straight party line, which once was an option.
As Leroy Canderaria stated that the integrity of election must be protected. He also thanked all candidates win or loose for running for office.
Dryness and fires are still an issue.
Fair Board restructuring was differed pending on review by the attorney. Changes include eliminating the alternate to the board, creating a position of secretary treasurer as a paid non board position. The pay wound be slightly more than a board member receives for the position. While the county would have responsibility for leasing, the fair board would have the first option for use in its events.
Planning and Zoning approved as ratified by the commission the continuation of a special permit for the waste site near Mountainair. The site handles asbestos.
Juvenile Justice Board was approved for a grant of 34K with a 40% match. Also approved was a grant for the girls outreach program at the Classical Academy and outreach hopes to expand to Moriarty and Mountanair in the future. A DWI grant. A DWI grant agreement for 2023 for about 85K with an in kind match, which has already been met was approved.
Law enforcement will receive a yet to be determined amount of money to help retain officers.
While the county manager said it was her oversight in the budget hearings, two individuals in dispatch needed a salary increase different from as stated. She stated that two on dispatch functioned as coordinators an needed raises accordingly.. The item was differed until the next meeting as individual conversation on the matter with the manager was requested.
Both the finance director and personal director of leaving. The finance director will be hired at about 29.25/hr and human resource director at 24.75/hr or up to 20% less depending on experience. The personal director will stay on to train the new director.
Opinions and a brief history on vote rigging: First I think a straight party line option on ballots is, yes, not a good idea. It only adds to lack of accountability of candidates and their respective parties. On that note, both parties have a long history of voter fraud be it LBJ when running for state office in Texas, Pres Harrison or Pres Hays to name some well known cases. Party Bosses in some states controlled results, Jim Crow laws in the South rigged elections. Laws were passed to try on end such criminal activities no matter which “side” might be at fault. There was some evidence of such in FL with the election of Bush II of which the Supreme refused to do their do diligence on investigation of the case, in my opinion.
Interesting, I just got an email from the Secretary of State that defended the election integrity on a state level.
Torrance County Commission Meeting, June 8th Election integrity issues came up here and in discussion during commission updates. While the local handling...
