Wards to Elect Delegates Soon
Before the County Pre-Primary and State Democratic Convention, wards will elect 106 delegates. Members of the State Central Committee are automatic delegates. The county convention will be Sunday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m., at HQ at 1420 Cerrillos Rd. Registration is from noon-1 p.m. The electors (voters) at the county convention will be all attendees who are verified “30-day Democrats” registered in Santa Fe County. The state convention in Ruidoso is March 9.
Santa Fe Wards will meet to elect delegates and discuss election year strategy between Feb. 10-19. SEE SCHEDULE HERE.
Pre-registration is encouraged and is a MUST for virtual (Zoom) meetings. Pre-registration will close at noon the day before each meeting. NOTE: for virtual meetings, this means those not pre-registering by noon on the day before the Zoom meeting will not be registered and will not be able to vote in the ward elections. CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER. Use the form to declare your intention to run for a delegate position and provide a short (up to 200 words) statement about why you are running. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted at the meetings.
You may also register by phone. Call Mary Jane Parks (626-253-1981) or Phyllis Bustamante (505-986-1443).
Registration for in-person meetings will open 30 minutes before, and close 15 minutes after, the meeting is called to order. NOTE: Late arrivals will not be registered and will not be able to vote in ward elections.
Understanding the Pre-Primary Process:
One of the provisions of the primary process in New Mexico is that major parties (here in NM: Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians) hold a pre-primary convention to endorse candidates for congressional and state-wide office for the primary ballot. The state 2024 Primary is June 4; early voting starts four weeks earlier.
This year the Democratic candidates running to be selected are (to date) incumbent U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, and incumbent U.S. Representatives, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Melanie Stansbury and Gabriel Vasquez. The convention will also vote on the 2024 state platform, and any resolutions before the convention.
The March 9 State Convention is an opportunity to meet candidates, meet fellow Democrats from throughout the state and learn strategies for GOTV.