Election season is upon us. Most of us dread the campaign season and the barrage of ads, but it is worth it if it means we get to elect our representatives.

We hear many reasons to give up on voting or not even register at all. The candidates do not represent me, or I do not know anything about them. My vote does not matter. I do not have time to vote, or I do not know where to register. The system is not trustworthy.

If you do not know the candidates, then get to know them. We urge all candidates to visit Artesia and stop at the Chamber of Commerce offices. When they do, everyone is invited to stop by the Chamber and listen to a candidate’s platform or ask questions. It can seem intimidating to talk to a candidate, but, at the end of the day, they are people just like us, and it is important for them to hear from their constituents.

If you are concerned that the candidate does not represent you, then you should find one who will represent you the best. Taking a chance on one is better that just sitting it out. The old phrase “perfect is the enemy of the good” applies here. There may not be a perfect candidate and waiting for perfect means that we may be passing up on one who is good.

If you think your vote does not matter, think again. Every vote adds up to a total. In the 2020 election, nearly 70% of the voting population turned out in Eddy County. That is about 23,700 voters out of the nearly 34,000 registered. That is a pretty good turnout compared to the previous general election when the turnout was just 50%. Could the extra 10,000 votes have made a difference in the elections in 2020? In the local city elections last March, turnout was even less than that—less than 20%. Local elections matter a lot to our community and voting in them can make all the difference.

If you do not have time to register or get to the polls, the solutions are simple. Getting registered is an easy stop by the Chamber of Commerce. We have the form that only takes a few minutes to fill out. We also submit it for you, and you receive your registered voter card in the mail. You can also register online at the New Mexico Secretary of State website (sos.state.nm.us). While I prefer to vote on Election Day (the polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm), early voting makes it extra easy to vote. Early voting starts October 11, giving you a few weeks to get to the polls or request an absentee ballot. So, find a day, or make sure you take a little time on Election Day to get to the polls. Employers are required to give you time to vote, so just go vote!

If you think the system cannot be trusted, this is nothing new. There has been so much debate about this issue since the last presidential election. And, really, for years, people have been wary of whether, or not, our ballots are being correctly counted, or counted at all. Our county, like many counties across the globe, works hard to handle elections ethically. If you have questions about how it works, call the Eddy County Clerk’s office. They are always willing to explain the process. I am proud of the work our county does and their willingness to be transparent about the process.

Even in all the frustration with politics today, and maybe even specifically because of that frustration, it is time to strive for a high voter turnout this November. With redistricting, and more extreme divides among the parties and our politicians, there is a lot at stake. The choices you make on election day can affect the policies we will live with. The top 10 countries with the best voter turnout range from 71.6% to 87.2%. Meanwhile, voter turnout in the U.S. averages around 60% or less. In New Mexico, the highest voter turnout is usually in Los Alamos County. Eddy County should turn out in record numbers this mid-term election season, and do it again in 2024 for our next presidential election. You may not get the candidate you want, but you definitely will not if you do not show up at the polls. Keep in mind that there are many people around the world who do not get to vote at all or live in societies where rigged elections are a way of life. Our right to vote is precious and we should not take it for granted.

Just. Go. Vote!

Hayley Klein,

Executive Director