By Kevin Hendricks
March municipal elections and voter identification requirements will remain in place in Rio Rancho after the Governing Body voted against eliminating them and opting into statewide elections at its May 8 meeting. Ordinance 13 failed in a 3-3 tie vote following public opposition.
The power of the people was on full display as 16 residents voiced strong opposition to the proposed ordinance that would have shifted city elections to November of odd-numbered years to align with most New Mexico municipalities, eliminated voter ID requirements and extended the terms of several city officials.
Deputy City Manager Peter Wells said the proposed change to Rio Rancho’s municipal election schedule would save taxpayers nearly half a million dollars and increase voter participation by moving local elections from March to November.
“The estimated cost to the city and its taxpayers to hold elections in March of 2026 is $450,000,” Well said. “Election costs have increased 895% since 2018 because of changes to state election requirements.”
The city’s current local photo identification requirement would no longer apply in these state-administered elections. The ordinance also would have extended the terms of Mayor Gregg Hull and council members Jeremy Lenentine, Bob Tyler, and Karissa Culbreath to December 31, 2027, instead of the current March 31, 2026. Similarly, the terms for councilors Deborah Dapson, Paul Wymer, and Nicole List would be extended to December 31, 2029, shifting from the original end date of March 31, 2028.
Dozens of residents spoke out against the ordinance during the meeting. Many expressed concerns about eliminating photo identification for municipal elections, citing worries about voter fraud and election integrity. Others questioned the council’s attempt to extend their terms, alleging a conflict of interest.
“There is no cost higher than doing what you plan to do,” Chair of the Republican Party of Sandoval County Beth Dowling said. “What the Rio Rancho City Council needs to do tonight is maintain our self-governing and autonomy.”
Tanya Watkins, a former Sandoval County Clerk candidate, criticized the ordinance for potentially violating residents’ rights and creating a conflict of interest for councilors.
“As a resident of Rio Rancho, I felt that my rights as an American citizen and resident of this community had been violated upon discovering this ordinance was being considered,” Watkins said. “You were elected to a four-year term, and this ordinance and your vote to pass it mean that you are putting yourself in office for an additional year and a half. This ordinance creates a conflict of interest for each and every one of you.”
John Veltri is the chairman of the New Mexico Election Network, a group that has been regularly speaking about election issues at the Sandoval County Commission meetings for over four years. He warned of potential repercussions from violating President Trump’s executive order on election integrity.
“We run the risk of losing federal funding that could come to our state, that is desperately needed, as well as court hearings that will cost us tons of taxpayer dollars to fight this battle,” Veltri said. “At the federal level, if you’re not supporting voter ID, clean books, cleaner voter rules and same-day paper ballots, then you’re against it. Please do what’s right.”
The remnants of what was once a standing-room only crowd let out a roar of applause as the ordinance failed after a meeting that ran over four hours.
According to the body’s rules of procedure, a tie vote results in the failure of a motion. Dapson, Wymer and Culbreath voted in favor of the ordinance. In opposition were Lenentine, Tyler and List.
Hull, who is running for governor in 2026, recused himself from the discussion and vote “in order to remove any perceived or real conflict of interest.” He would have been able to break the tie, which most likely would not have changed the outcome, as Hull has been a longtime supporter of Voter ID and independent local elections.
Mayor Hull later released a statement expressing his support for the council’s vote against the ordiance.
“I am pleased that the Council voted to maintain control of our local elections,” Hull said. “It’s a shame that the legislature and the Secretary of State put our City and our Council in the impossible position to decide between the safety and security of our elections or to protect the hard-earned dollars of our taxpayers.”
Hull also said statewide voter ID laws are a priority if he wins the vote for New Mexico’s top elected position next year.
“If elected Governor in 2026, I will prioritize passing statewide Voter ID laws that protect legally registered voters and the integrity of our elections, while allowing municipalities to govern their own election laws and processes,” Hull said. “Today, we witnessed the amount of power Santa Fe will wield to get what they want, only this time they failed to meet the moment. Rio Rancho continues to be a beacon of hope, of common sense, and a city that answers only to the people who call it home.”
