Democracy for New Mexico

(Updated) Follow the 2007 Albuquerque Election Returns

Here's the City's , which will continue to be updated as votes are counted.

UPDATE 2: As of 10:21 PM:

• O'Malley beat Martinez 72-28% with all precincts unofficially counted!
• Winter ahead of de'Pascal 81-19% with all but one precinct unofficially counted!
• Garduno 49%, Wilson 23, Griffin 20, Kaufman 9 with all precincts unofficially counted!
• Affordable Housing Bond up 53-47% with only two precincts outstanding!
• Pay increase for councilors down about 60-40% with all but two precincts counted. Aw, rats.

All in all, a bad night for Mayor Chavez and his acolytes and a good night for progressives. Rah! The most disturbing number? Voter turnout, which reportedly hovered around 10% of the approximately 280,000 registered voters in Albuquerque. Whatever happened to civics classes? Maybe we should require them to get any kind of license ....

UPDATE 1: As of about 10:15 PM, with all precincts unofficially counted, Councilor Don Harris beat back the recall effort against him by a margin of:

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 RECALL QUESTION Candidate Precinct Absentee Early Total Percent FOR RECALL 1,120 263 136 1,519 34.01% AGAINST RECALL 2,589 199 159 2,947 65.99%

(4,466 Total Votes)        (17 of 17 Precincts Counted) Mayor Chavez must be huffing and puffing.

***********
As of about 9 PM:

• O'Malley is beating Martinez 71-28%
• Winter is beating de'Pascal 78-21%
• Garduno is at almost 49% with Wilson at 23%, Griffin at 20% and Kaufman at 9%
• Recall of Harris stands at 59% against, 40% for it
• All the general bonds are winning with the affordable housing bond at 57-43
• All the ballot propositions are winning EXCEPT for Prop 4 to increase councilor pay which is at 57% against and 43% for it

Albuquerque Municipal Election Day 2007

You know you want to. You know you need to. You know you should. Polls open 7 AM to 7 PM today. Click for everything you need to know.

Voting: October 2, 2007 Albuquerque Municipal Election

We're finally almost there, and there's a lot at stake. Albuquerque's municipal election will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, October 2, 2007. You must already be registered to vote to cast a ballot. Voters in even numbered City Council districts will cast their ballots for City Council. All voters will consider ten municipal bond issues and five ballot propositions. Voters in City Council District 9 will vote yes or no on a recall of Don Harris, who currently represents the district on the City Council.

Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Note that your regular polling place may have been combined with that of others to form a "consolidated precinct" for this election, so you might need to vote somewhere other than where you're used to doing so. Please double check by entering your address at the polling place link below, which will also provide you with a link to a map and a sample ballot.

To find your polling place

Summary of ballot propositions (doc) to be voted upon

Description of bond resolutions (doc) to be voted upon

All voting will be on paper ballots. For more info on election matters you can contact the City Clerk's office at 768-3030 or visit their election website. Also check out the detailed Voters Guide published by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County or read our previous posts on the election.

Below are my personal picks for Albuquerque's municipal election.

The choices represent my individual opinions only, but almost every single progressive I've talked to shares my views:

City Council:

District 2: Debbie O'Malley (current incumbent and City Council President)

District 4: Brad Winter (Paulette de'Pascal is a Democrat but would be expected to vote against the progressive bloc and in support Mayor Chavez)

District 6: Rey Garduno (endorsed by Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, Martin Heinrich and many others)

District 8: Nobody (Republican Trudy Jones is the only candidate)

District 9: Recall: Keep Don Harris or Mayor Martin Chavez will pick a crony to replace him and the City Council will have a much harder time over-riding the Mayor's vetoes.

General Bond Issues: Yes on all ten, but especially for the workforce housing bond, #10

Ballot Initiatives: Yes on all five, but especially those about raising councilor pay to what Bernalillo County Commissioners get and limiting the kinds of money that can be accepted by campaigns.

More on Joanie Griffin's Ethical Problems (and The Albuquerque Journal's?)

Required reading if you live in Albuquerque's City Council District 6 (or even if you don't): Countdown to Oct. 2: The Journal and Joanie, another revealing political post by Coco over at Duke City Fix. Be sure to follow the links to other posts Coco provides in order to connect the dots fully. It's a fairly complicated web. It often is when Mayor Chavez, the city's ethics board, Greg Payne, Don Harris, Paulette de'Pascal, Joanie Griffin and the Albuquerque Journal, among others, are involved.

Vote Yes on ABQ GO Bond #10: Workforce Housing

There are ten General Obligation Bonds on the ballot for the October 2, 2007 election. All the bond issues have strong support across the political spectrum but one is of special importance. If approved, General Obligation Bond #10 would provide $10.1 million to a trust fund over the next two years for the construction, rehabilitation and financing of high-quality housing for young families and the elderly as set forth in the Workforce Housing bill sponsored by Councilor Debbie O'Malley and passed by the City Council. Such funding would get a generous match from the private sector so it could be stretched even farther. With housing costs so high in Albuquerque and many salaries so low, public support for affordable housing for working families and seniors is essential if we want to preserve the special character of our city.

Learn more about GO Bond #10 at the Workforce Housing blog.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, the alibi and the Albuquerque Journal are among a long list of supporters of GO Bond #10:

• Read this op-ed by Diane Denish (doc)
• Read this Albuquerque Journal editorial (doc)
• See this alibi endorsement

For a more indepth analysis on the Workforce Housing Opportunity Act this bond will help fund, check out these videos:

To view the series of four videos in a larger format, go here.

TONIGHT: Watch ABQ City Council District 6 Candidate Forum

Just wanted to remind you that a District 6 candidate forum will be presented by 'We The People' tonight, Thursday, September 27, 2007, and broadcast live on Albuquerque Cable Channel 27 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. It will also be live streamed online. The forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters and will feature candidates Rey Garduño, Blair Kaufman, Kevin Wilson, and Joanie Griffin. Given the heated race going on in District 6, this is must-see TV for those interested in the future of our city.

Also note that video clips are now available from the recent Albuquerque United Candidates Forum sponsored by 1000 Friends of New Mexico, Southwest Organizing Project, Sage Council and the League of Young Voters.

Friday: Last Day to Vote Early in ABQ Municipal Election

Friday, September 28, 2007 is the last day for the Albuquerque City Clerk to mail absentee ballots requested by voters and the last day to cast absentee ballots in person. It's also the last day to vote absentee on a paper ballot at City Clerk's office or to vote at the other satellite locations. The city election will be held on October 2, 2007 and polls will be open from 7 AM to 7 PM. You can learn more about the election and voting here, where's there's also a link to the nonpartisan League of Women Voters guide to the election. You can find out where to vote on October 2nd and which district you reside in here. To read our previous posts on the municipal election, visit our archive.

Joanie Griffin Campaign Admits Negative "Push Polling" in ABQ District 6 City Council Race

Below is a release from the Rey Garduño campaign reporting on negative telephone "push polling" that the Joanie Griffin campaign has allegedly admitted it is behind. When the Garduño campaign learned of the calls, they got voters in District 6 to record info from them and passed it on to Dan McKay of the Albuquerque Journal. According to Garduño, McKay followed up and Griffin (above right) eventually admitted she had paid for the anonymous push polling.

Those familiar with Albuquerque politics may remember that similar push polling was done against Martin Heinrich and Debbie O'Malley four years ago. Funny how push polling and other negative campaign tactics often get employed against candidates who are not to Mayor Marty Chavez's liking, isn't it? No proof. Just saying.

From Rey Garduño for City Council:
ALBUQUERQUE (Wednesday, September 26, 2007). Starting early this morning voters in City Council District 6 received an anonymous "push poll”-- or calls that pretended to be a poll but whose purpose was to include negative information about Rey Garduño. Push polling is universally denounced as an unethical campaign tactic.

In violation of the city’s ethics code, the calls were anonymous and when voters pressed the caller to disclose who was paying for the calls, the caller either hung up or said they could not disclose that information. Later it was revealed that candidate Joanie Griffin paid to have the calls made.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 26, the Albuquerque Journal asked Griffin if she was behind the anonymous push poll, which she admitted she was. As late as 7:30 PM, Griffin did not change the phone script to include a disclosure nor did she stop the calls from being made.

"Push polls are universally denounced as unethical campaign tactics. They mislead the public to think they are participating in a legitimate poll when are in fact the purpose is only to malign candidates. I am disappointed that she stooped to this level," said Rey Garduño.

"The fact that she did unethical push polls was bad enough. Even though she admitted to the wrong doing she still allowed the calls to continue in violation of the city’s ethics code. At a minimum, Griffin should apologize to the voters in District 6 for engaging in unethical dirty campaigning," said Rey Garduño.

Albuquerque's municipal election is set for October 2nd, 2007. Both mail-in (absentee) and in-person early voting is going on right now. To read our previous posts on the city election, visit our archive. You might also want to see a previous post about other rather shady practices used by the Griffin campaign.

Tonight on Espejos: Affordable Housing in ABQ

From Javier Benavidez: Check out KUNM 89.9FM TONIGHT, Monday, September 24th, at 8:00 PM for a live discussion with organizers of the Workforce Housing Opportunity Act (WHOA), an effort to establish a trust fund for permanently affordable housing in Albuquerque.

This past summer, organizers achieved the placement of the bond question on the ballot to be voted on by Albuquerqueans in the muncipal election on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007. If approved, the fund will provide more than $5 million per year (with a required match of $20 million from non-city funds) for land banking and the construction, financing, and rehabilitation of affordable housing in Albuquerque.

Issues including national housing market trends, the mortgage lending industry crisis, and gentrification have made home ownership challenging in Albuquerque's established neighborhoods for low to moderate income residents. Please tune in for a discussion about the struggle for permanently affordable housing in Albuquerque and beyond.

Espejos de Aztlan has been on-air since 1979 and is part of the Raices Collective which conducts programming on news, culture and music from a Latino perspective on KUNM 89.9FM. For more information or to submit input about Espejos de Aztlan, please visit the "Raices" link at .

Re-Runs to Air of We The People's ABQ City Council District 2 and 4 Candidate Forum

WE THE PEOPLE: DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?
How did the Candidates for Albuquerque City Council Districts 2 and 4 feel about local issues? Check the Cable Channel 27 Re-Run of the Forum from 9/13

COMCAST CABLE - Channel 27
Sunday Sept. 23rd at 7 PM
Tuesday the 25th at 11 am and 9 PM
and simultaneously on your high-speed computer at: https://www.quote-unquote.org. (Click for Channel 27s Media Stream - half way down the page on the right.)

Also remember our District 6 Forum - Live - Channel 27 on September 27th at 6:00 PM

WE THE PEOPLE is an innovative call-in television show looking for TRUTH and TRANSPARENCY in local, state and federal governments. THANKS FOR WATCHING, Mickey Bock, Host; Judith Binder, Producer

9.20.07: ABQ City Council District 2 Candidate Forum

An Albuquerque City Council District 2 candidate forum is set for this Thursday:

• WHEN: Thursday, 20 September 2007, 7 to 8:30 PM (Doors open at 6:45. Please arrive on time to get a seat!)
• WHERE: North Valley Senior Center, 3825 Fourth Street NW, map
• SPONSORS: Neighborhood Associations & Coalitions of District 2
• CANDIDATES: Debbie O'Malley (incumbent) and Katherine Martinez

Information will also be provided about General Obligation Bond issues and propositions to amend the Albuquerque City Charter.

This is another City Council race where Mayor Marty Chavez's influence is being felt. Current City Council President Debbie O'Malley is being challenged by Katherine Martinez, a government affairs official with the Homebuilders Association of Central New Mexico. Mayor Chavez has made no secret of his support for Martinez and sponsored a fundraiser for her campaign in Corrales hosted by a prominent homebuilder.

The Mayor has long battled with O'Malley, a strong backer of affordable housing, planned growth and practical progressive causes, as well as spending city tax revenues on basic services rather than on luxuries like a panda and a Balloon Fiesta Park reflecting pool. O'Malley is conducting her campaign under the clean elections public funding program, which means she takes no money from special interests. If you live in District 2, be sure to get out and vote to keep O'Malley's voice of the people on the City Council.

Albuquerque's municipal election is set for October 2, 2007. Registered voters who live in all even-numbered City Council districts will elect a City Councilor. A councilor recall question will also be decided in District 9. All voters will consider a number of municipal bond issues and ballot propositions:

Summary of ballot propositions (doc) to be voted upon

Description of bond resolutions (doc) to be voted upon

Click to determine your .

Early in-person voting is now in progress and voters can cast their ballots Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at these locations:

• Albuquerque City Hall, One Civic Plaza, Downtown, map
• City Records Center, 604 Menaul NW, map
• Ladera Plaza, 5300 Sequoia NW, map
• APS Office Building, 6400 Uptown NE, map

Voting by mail-in ballot began on August 28th and continues. To request a main-in (absentee) ballot, call the Albuquerque City Clerk at 768-3030.

For more info on voting matters you can contact the City Clerk's office at 768-3030 or visit their election website. Also check out the nonpartisan Voters Guide produced by the League of Women Voters. To see our previous posts on topics related to the municipal election, visit our archive.

(Photo credit: Suzanne Prescott)

Diane Denish Endorses Rey Garduño for ABQ City Council

Another big endorsement for Rey Garduño for Albuquerque City Council in District 6. The race in this district is essential to assuring that progressive ideas continue to dominate the City Council, so it's great to see so many strong Dems and key organizations lining up to support Garduño. If you live in District 6, be sure to get out and vote on October 2nd, or vote early in person or by mail-in ballot.

From Rey Garduño for City Council:
Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish has decided to endorse Rey Garduño for City Council District 6. She joins other progressive leaders in our city including:

Martin Heinrich, Current District 6 City Councilor
Debbie O'Malley, City Council President
Isaac Benton, City Councilor
Michael Cadigan, City Councilor
Eric Griego, Former City Councilor
Pat Baca, Former City Councilor
Deanna Archuleta, County Commissioner
Cisco McSorley, NM State Senator

Rey has also been endorsed by The Hispanic Roundtable, AFSCME, Central Labor Council, ACORN PAC, Conservation Voters New Mexico and the Sierra Club.

Rey Garduño  stated, “I am honored and humbled by the endorsement of Lt. Governor Denish. Her work in support of local communities, small businesses and children throughout New Mexico is an inspiration.”

Rey has lived in District 6 for over 30 years. He has raised his family in District 6, was involved in his son’s schools and ran two local businesses. Rey has spent a lifetime helping to make our community a better place to live and raise our families. Rey is endorsed by progressive leaders from throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico because he has the experience we need and the proven leadership we can trust.

Check out our previous posts on the Albuquerque Municipal Election at our archive.