Denish, Herrera, Balderas To Kick Off NM Presidential Caucus Today in Albuquerque

From the Democratic Party of NM:
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, along with Secretary of State Mary Herrera and State Auditor Hector Balderas, will kick off New Mexico's Democratic Presidential Preference Caucus season with a press conference today, December 5th, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center's Special Events Building in Albuquerque, at 2:00 PM. This press conference will provide an opportunity for journalists to understand the unique details of the Caucus and to educate voters throughout New Mexico on how to vote for the next Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

New Mexico's Presidential Preference Caucus will be conducted on Tuesday, February 5th, 2008, enabling New Mexico to participate in a "national primary day" along with 22 other states nationwide.  The Caucus will be in many ways similar to most statewide New Mexico elections, in that voters will be given a paper ballot and then the voter will cast the secret ballot for their preferred candidate.  However, the election will be conducted and financed entirely by the Democratic Party of New Mexico, without any taxpayer expense. Additionally, the number of polling locations will be consolidated to 184 Caucus Sites throughout New Mexico. A list of statewide Caucus Sites will also be distributed at the press conference, and will be available on the Party's website at www.nmdemocrats.org.

New Mexico's Democratic Presidential Preference is important because it gives the voters of New Mexico an opportunity to have a voice in the current high-profile campaign for the Democratic nominee for President. Before 2004, New Mexicans cast their votes for presidential nominees in June, which is typically long after the nominees are determined. The Caucus is also important because it compels presidential candidates to pay particular attention to the unique issues and concerns of the people of New Mexico.

• WHO: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Secretary of State Mary Herrera, State Auditor Hector Balderas, and Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairman Brian S. Colón
• WHAT: Press Conference Kicking Off New Mexico's Democratic Presidential Preference Caucus
• WHERE: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Special Events Building, 2401 12th St NW, Albuquerque, NM
• WHEN: Wed., Dec. 5th, 2:00 PM