Democracy for New Mexico

Local Women Leaders to Back Griego for ABQ Mayor

Media Advisory from the Campaign for Councilor Eric Griego for Mayor of Albuquerque:

Who:
Patricia Montoya, Former State Secretary of Health
Deanna Archuleta-Loeser, Bernalillo County Commissioner
Debbie O'Malley, Albuquerque City Councilor
Melinda Rand-Kenefic, Owner, Celebro Natural Fiber Clothing
Laura Harris, Executive Director of Americans for Indian Opportunity

And more than 30 other women leaders and supporters of Eric Griego’s mayoral campaign.

Where: Centro de Amor Head Start Center (Barelas, 309 Stover SW)

When: Monday, February 21, 3:30 PM

What: Press conference

Why:  To show Councilor Griego’s strong support from the women’s community and to highlight his record of working on issues of importance to Albuquerque women.

Sign Up for Free Public Speaking Workshop

Vivian Harris, a communications professor at Albuquerque's TVI, is offering a public speaking workshop for anyone interested in running for office or giving better public addresses. This is for members of NM Democratic Friends and Democracy for New Mexico, as well as other progressive folks.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 1st, from 5 :30 PM until 9:30 PM, on the Montoya Campus of TVI in Room 124 in Building J. The Montoya Campus is at 4700 Morris NE in Albuquerque. Here's a street map. And here's a map of the campus buildings.

If you'd like to attend, please call Vivian at 323-7571 and leave a message. The only requirement for attending the class is to promise to use the skills learned to help effect political change. It's requested that you select a topic of interest beforehand that you'd like to use in the speaking exercises.

Breaking News - Election Reform

From Mother Media:
United Voters of New Mexico and coalition will hold a Press Conference on Election Reform at the Capitol Building in Santa Fe, Wednesday, February 23rd, beginning at 10 AM. Speakers will emphasize the importance of mandating Voter Verified Paper Ballots (VVPB) and other reforms during this legislative session. Details below under the "Events" heading. Be there if Democracy matters to you.

Governor Bill Richardson's election reform bill is now available in draft form. Pick up a copy at his office on the 4th floor of the Capitol Building. While deftly negotiating the contentious voter ID issue and thankfully including provisions for a paper trail (Section 32), that paper trail is not explicitly *voter verifiable*. Therefore there is no way to guarantee that a machine has recorded and totaled the vote as indicated on the paper trail. Voters will not even get to see their paper trail before casting their vote. The exact language of the bill is as follows: "As used in this section, 'auditable paper trail' means a record that may be used by the state or its contractor to check either the veracity of a machine count or the count itself."

Action: Call the Governor at (505) 476-2200 and ask to speak with someone regarding his election reform bill. Indicate that you are pleased he has included paper audit trails in his bill, but politely insist that the paper trail be an official Voter Verifiable Paper Ballot (VVPB) for recount purposes, as provided for in Mary Helen Garcia's bill, HB1026 [details below]. Cite Nevada as a state which already uses this system and even performs *random sample audits* to make sure that the paper totals and the machine totals match. You can even indicate that there are perhaps five NASED (National Association of State Election Directors) certified HAVA compliant VVPB machines to choose from, including the one used in Nevada (Sequoia AVC Edge). Details on Nevada at bottom. Here are some possible machine options to suggest:

Populex  NASED #N-2-15-22-22-001
Sequoia AVC  EDGE with Veri-vote printer NASED # N-1-07-11-006
Avante, Vote Trakker2, NASED certification #0114-4.4.3
Accupol, NASED certification # N-2-13-11-11-001
TrueVote, NASED certification #N04005000100

Finally, note the following resolution, which was passed by the Democratic Central Committee of New Mexico on April 24, 2004:

Resolution:
      WHEREAS Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machines of various kinds have been shown to be capable of producing unreliable, unverifiable results,
      WHEREAS DRE voting systems with voter-verifiable, printed ballots will be available in the next year,
      WHEREAS it would be a waste of funds to buy new systems now,
      BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party insist that no new DRE voting machines be purchased until DRE voting systems are available with
voter-verifiable, printed ballots.
      BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party insist that any new DRE voting machines purchased in the future use voter-verifiable, printed ballots.

Eli Lee of Soltari Inc. a strategic consulting firm has been working closely with the Governor on this bill. A respectful and constructive word with him might be effective:  505.842.5539
-------------------------
Representative Mary Helen Garcia Introduces HB 1026 - "Requiring the Use of Voter Verifiable Paper Ballots."

In response to the community's efforts in the House Voter and Elections Committee, and in particular the perseverance and dedication of Stephen Fettig of Los Alamos, Vice-Chairperson of the House Voter and Elections Committee Rep. Mary Helen Garcia has taken the lead on this crucial issue. Her bill not only provides for voter verifiable paper ballots, but it allows the Secretary of State to certify VVPB machines for use in the state even if they do not submit an application to be certified, as they now must do. This significantly increases the Secretary of State's ability to provide New Mexico with machines that address the critical VVPB issue. Thanks to all involved. The special "emergency clause" in this bill mandates the law come into effect immediately on passage, allowing the Secretary of State to act prior to her June 2005 deadline for in state VVPB HAVA machine certification. Please support Mary Helen Garcia (986-4435) and her Senate co-sponsor James G. Taylor (986-4862). Track the bill's progress (HB 1026] at https://legis.state.nm.us .

Unconfirmed reports from the Senate Rules Committee hearing indicate that Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino and his aide Harry Pavlides (sp) may have amended the VVPB provision in their bill, SB 718 to use the language developed by Mary Helen Garcia and Stephen Fettig in HB 1026.

Gerald and Harry have led the way on this issue in the Legislature and we warmly thank them for their groundbreaking efforts and willingness to incorporate the community's input.

**** Events:

Press Conference - United Voters of New Mexico and coalition - Wednesday, February 23rd, Santa Fe Capitol Building (Roundhouse) Rotunda.

10AM - Lawsuit on behalf of NM Citizens to prohibit any further purchase of non voter-verifiable paper ballot machines.

11AM - Election Reform Day. Focus on Voter Verifiable Paper Ballot (VVPB), automatic recounts, open-source computer code, same-day voter registration, instant run-off voting and making Election Day a state holiday.

Mother Media
leland@33o.com
604 1/2 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe, NM  87505
505.982.3609

HEADS UP: Lecture on Torture & Geneva Conventions

U.S. policy on torture and terrorism will be the subject of a free lecture by defense attorney Joshua Dratel, at Noon Thursday (2/17) at UNM Law forum, at the UNM Law Library. 

Dratel's lecture is entitled: 'Tortured reasoning : has the U.S. abandoned the Geneva Conventions after 9/11?'

UPDATE: NM Election Reform Bills

On Tuesday, February 15th, the House Voters and Elections Committee at the NM Legislature will review a number of election reform bills that may include the Republican voter ID bill. The Committee meets at 8:30 AM in Room 305 at the Roundhouse. If you'd like to contact members of this Committee to comment on these bills, click here. A list of the bills is here. You can read copies of the bills and track them here. And of course you are encouraged to visit the committee meeting in Santa Fe.

On Wednesday, February 16, members of DFNM and NM Democratic Friends will be attending the Senate Rules Committee chaired by Sen. Linda Lopez in Room 321 at 8:30 AM as it continues its review of Senate Bills SB40 (Duran-R) and SB718 (Ortiz y Pino-D). Janet Reznick of DFNM is leading this trip and Terry Riley of NMDF is coordinating car pooling. Please contact them for more information or to sign up for the trip. Email Terry at Terryactivist@aol.com and Janet at jrez@comcast.net. The carpools will be leaving Albuquerque at 6:30 AM. You can find committee members and agendas for this committee here. Check out the recent post by Janet Reznick on this effort here.

Sometime this week, it's anticipated that Sen. Cisco McSorley will introduce a bill drafted at the request of Sonja Elison and Clo Barnaby that includes many of our most important reforms, including a requirement that voting machines provide a voter verified paper ballot. Watch for an action alert on this bill, which is expected to be introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The main NM Legislature page that links to bills, committees, agendas and more is at https://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/. There's link to this on the right-hand sidebar of our website, near the top.

Democratic Party of Santa Fe Count to Hold Trainings, Ward Elections & County Elections in March

WHAT:  Training on the Ward and County Election Process
Purpose of these trainings is to familiarize yourself with the process, rules and procedures associated with ward elections and county elections.  Trainings will feature a "mock" ward election.

WHO:  All registered Democrats in Santa Fe County
WHEN:  Saturday March 5, 2005 at these times:

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM; 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM; 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

There will be four separate trainings that can accommodate 25 people each.  Slots will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis by contacting the DPSFC (through Doug Schocke) at 982.5727 or sfdparty@qwest.net

WHERE:  Democratic Party of Santa Fe County HQ
907 W. Alameda
Santa Fe, NM  87501
********************************
WHAT:  Ward Elections
Purpose of these elections is to elect ward officers and ward level delegates who will serve as representatives to the county central committee - this is also an opportunity to introduce resolutions at the ward level.

WHO:  All registered Democrats in Santa Fe County
WHEN:  Monday March 21, 2005, 6:00 PM
WHERE:  Locations within Santa Fe County (specific locations will be finalized by March 5)
********************************
WHAT:  County Central Committee Meeting/ County Elections
Purpose of this meeting and elections is for elected ward delegates to elect County Chair and County Vice-Chair and delegates to the State Central Committee (State Central Committee will meet on April 28th in Albuquerque) - resolutions passed at the ward level will also be discussed and voted on.

WHO:  All elected ward level delegates
WHEN:  Monday, March 28, 2005, 6:00 PM
WHERE:  NEA New Mexico Building, 2011 Botulph Road, Santa Fe, NM  87505

For more information contact:
DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF SANTA FE COUNTY
907 W. Alameda
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.982.5727
sfdparty@qwest.net
Contact: Robert Adams: 231.2569

DPBC Third Thursday Meeting Set for 2/17

DFNM members are urged to attend this meeting. We need a large showing to underline our passion for change in the Democratic Party:

From the DPBC e-news:
The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County Third Thursday meeting will be held February 17, 6:00 PM at the UNM Law School, 1117 Stanford NE, Room 2401. Click for map.

Our speaker will be Ellen Leitzer, Co-Executive Director of the Senior Citizens Law Office. Ms. Leitzer recently received the Award for Consumer Health Advocate for 2004 by Families USA. Ms. Leitzer's topic will be, More of the Safety Net Under Attack - Medicaid and Medicare -- What's Next? With the number of uninsured Americans reaching 45 million, an all-time high and growing, and those without health insurance for some period of time in 2003-04 at 85 million, a crisis exists. The proposed cutbacks in the President's budget only worsen the prospects for improvement.

If you are a registered Democrat and would like to be added to the DPBC e-news list, please send your name, email address and County to dpbc@att.net.

Saturday ABQ Rally Against War Profiteers

From Stop the War Machine:
(Believe it or not, there are weapons that are worse than nukes.  Come down to the Albuquerque Hilton this Saturday at 11 AM and join us to protest the weapons that are being placed in space.)

Big Rally Against War Profiteers:  Albuquerque needs money for jobs and healthcare, not war in space!

Saturday, February 12, 2005 at the University of New Mexico Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion; Albuquerque Hilton Hotel (1901 University Boulevard at I-40), 11 AM -1 PM; Questions? StopTheWarMachine@comcast.net (268-9557) or www.Space4Peace.org .

Saturday is the kick off day for a week long gathering of war planners and profiteers.  UNM sponsors this conference.  Look for other actions at the symposium during the week of activates

We will raise the demand that money being sent to prepare for war in space be spent for jobs, healthcare, and environmental restoration.  For instance, the Indian Health Service is closing its Albuquerque hospital due to federal budget cuts.  Yet at the same time millions are being planned for a nuclear bunker buster bomb, billions for space laser weapons and nuclear power system. 

We must stand up and challenge these upside down priorities and demand people be put before war profiteering.  This is a protest in conjunction with the Global Network Against Nuclear Power and Weapons in Space.

Sign Up for DFNM Citizen Lobbying at NM Legislature - This Friday 2/11

LET’S HIT THE LEGISLATURE! TOPIC: VOTER-ELECTION REFORM & PROBLEMS

Senator Linda Lopez has invited DFA-DFNM Albuquerque members to come and speak before her Senate Rules Committee on 2 voter ID bills, on Friday, February 11, 2005, 8:00 AM, in Santa Fe, at the Roundhouse.

I will be setting up car pools to leave Albuquerque around 6:30-6:45 AM on Friday, 2/11/05.  People can go for a half day or the full day on Friday, if car pools allow. I will fill you full of information about how the legislature works and how to make your way around when you are up there as a citizen lobbyist.

Please let me know ASAP if you can go on Friday and please provide a phone number where I can reach you to discuss car pooling and plans.

Other activities planned for the day:

10:00 AM – Joint session of legislature (Senate & House) – for African American Day at the legislature

Afternoon:
- Going to the Governor’s office – voter & election reform/problems
- Going to the Secretary of State’s Office - voter & election reform/problems
- Visiting with our individual legislators
- Going to other committee meetings

Contact:  Dory Shonagon, dshonagon@earthlink.net

GLBT Lobby Day at the NM Legislature

From Equality New Mexico:

Celebrate Valentine's Day
Our Day of Love
& Protect Our Families
GLBT Lobby Day
at the NM State Legislature 

February 14, 2005!

7:45 AM: Meet at Roundhouse- Learn to Lobby Legislators

8:30 AM: Tell Your Legislators: "No Ban on Same-Sex Marriages and Pass Domestic Partner Benefits"

10:00 AM: Rotunda Celebration: Press Conference

11:00 AM: Lunch with friends

12:30 PM: More Lobbying!!!

--PACK THE ROUNDHOUSE!!!!--

Celebrate your right to love, join in Gay & Lesbian family day at the Roundhouse

For more Information (and parking suggestions!) contact Equality New Mexico at (505)224-2766 or (888)304-2366.