Can ranked choice voting save Albuquerque a fortune? Supporters will try again for next city election

The Albuquerque City Council uses ranked choice voting (RCV) for its own internal seats. Now, Councilors Tammy Fiebelkorn, Nichole Rogers and Stephanie Telles have introduced Ordinance O-26-13 to extend that same system to citywide elections by November 2027. Under RCV, voters rank candidates by preference. If no one secures a majority, the lowest vote-getter is […]

Posted inColumns & Columnists, Elections & Politics, NM Political Report

New poll shows Haaland still comfortably ahead of Bregman as Dem. primary for gov heats up

Columnists in NM Political ReportPat Davis is the founder and publisher of NM Political Report, City Desk ABQ and the nm.news network. He is a recovering politician having served eight years as an Albuquerque City Councilor and, in another life, served as a police officer and nonprofit organizer. With the legislature in the rearview mirror, […]

Posted inElections & Politics, Town of Bernalillo

Economic growth takes center stage in Bernalillo mayoral contest

Voters will decide March 3 whether to give Mayor Jack Torres a fifth term or elect challenger James Baca, who says new leadership would bring fresh ideas to the Sandoval County town. The mayoral race headlines a ballot that also includes a Town Council contest and a proposed quarter-cent gross receipts tax for economic development. […]

Posted inElections & Politics, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho

Should Rio Rancho be a sanctuary city? One mayoral candidate thinks so

A question about sanctuary city policy sparked a crowd reaction at a mayoral candidate forum on Feb. 3, with one candidate breaking from her opponents to voice support for the designation. During the forum hosted by The Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Rancho Observer, mayoral candidate Alexandria Piland was the only […]

Historic investments and more work ahead: Barbara Baca announces re-election bid for District 1 commissioner

Bernalillo County Commissioner Barbara Baca announced Wednesday she will seek re-election in the June Democratic primary for District 1, which encompasses Albuquerque’s Westside and North Valley. Baca, a lifelong Westside resident and 14th-generation New Mexican, said she is running to continue work on housing, behavioral health and public safety initiatives begun during her first term. […]

Posted inElections & Politics, NM Political Report

New Mexico Democrats will try to change state election dates to be 2028 early primary state

The Democratic Party of New Mexico has applied to the Democratic National Committee to move the state’s presidential primary ahead of Super Tuesday, seeking to give its diverse electorate a larger voice in selecting the party’s 2028 nominee. If approved, New Mexico would need to change state law to move its primary date, a change […]