Bernalillo County Extends Early Voting Hours Starting 10/24/08

The New Mexico Secretary of State has agreed to a request by the Bernalillo County Clerk to extend Early Voting Hours in the county due to the huge turnouts at the sites. The following changes will take affect tomorrow, Friday, October 24, 2008 at Bernalillo County sites: 

Tuesday – Friday (Starting Friday October 24, 2008): All 15 alternate Early Voting Locations will be open from 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM 

Saturday October 25, 2008: The Clerk’s Office Annex at 620 Lomas will open from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Click for an updated listing (pdf) of hours and locations. No word yet of any expanded Early Voting hours in other counties. Check with your County Clerk for the Early voting hours and locations where you live. The last day for Early In-Person Voting is November 1, 2008. If you don't vote early by that date, you'll have to wait until Election Day on November 4th.

 

Early Voting Totals Thru Yesterday

As of yesterday, a total of 31,776 people had voted in person at early voting sites in Bernalillo County, including 19,863 Democrats, 7,890 Republicans, 3,099 Unafflliateds and 641 Independents, according to the Bernalillo County website. And a total of 31,958 people had voted via absentee ballots in Bernalillo County, including 15,967 Democrats, 12,645 Republicans, 2,700 Unaffiliateds and 497 Independents. 

50 NM Elected Officials Who Voted Early

By the way, the Obama campaign announced the names of 50 elected officials in New Mexico who have voted early to encourage New Mexicans to take advantage of Early Vote.

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, who early voted for Barack Obama said: “I was honored to be one of the first New Mexicans to cast my vote for Barack Obama. Vote early. Get others to vote early. Early voting counts the same as voting Election Day, and frees you up to spend Election Day helping elect Barack Obama and reduce Election Day lines." 

Other officials who have voted early for Barack Obama include: 

Attorney General Gary King, State Representative Antonio "Moe" Maestas, State Representative Rick Miera, State Representative Mary Helen Garcia, Senate Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia, State Representative John Pena, State Representative Richard Vigil, State Representative Thomas Swisstack, State Representative Jim Trujillo, State Representative Peter Wirth, State Representative Elias Barela, State Representative Nathan Cote, Carlsbad City Councilman Paul Aguilar, Santa Fe County Commissioner Mike Anaya, Sierra County Commissioner Walter Armijo, Mesilla Trustee Carlos Arzabal, Albuquerque City Councilman Isaac Benton, District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, Santa Fe City Councilwoman Patti Bushee, Albuquerque City Councilman Michael Cadigan, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, San Juan County Commissioner Ervin Chavez, Luna County Sheriff Raymond Cobos, Santa Fe Mayor David Coss, Cibola County Treasurer Norma Vigil Dominguez, Carrizoza Trustee Dennis Dunnum, Espanola City Councilor Danielle Duran, Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza, Bayard City Councilwoman Jovita Gonzales, Taos County Commissioner Nicklos E. Jaramillo, Quay County Commissioner Robert Lopez, Fort Sumner Village Councilmember Selestino Lovato, Espanola Mayor Joseph Maestas, Colfax County Commissioner Jim Maldonado, Aztec City Commissioner Diana Mesch, Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya, Mora County Treasurer Ida Mora, Albuquerque City Council Debbie O'Malley, San Miguel County Treasurer Alfonso Ortiz, Dona Ana County Assessor Gary Perez, Valencia County Commissioner Pedro Rael, Hatch Village Municipal Judge Sabino Ramirez, Capitan Village Trustee Diane Riska, San Miguel County Commissioner-Chair David Salazar, Eddy County Treasurer Emma Salgado, Hatch Village Trustee Roberto Torres, San Miguel County Sheriff Benjamin Vigil, Santa Fe County Commissioner Virginia Vigil, Taos County Assessor Darlene Vigil