ABQ Times

The recently released New Mexico Election Study (NMES) for 2022 sheds light on the successful general election in the state, emphasizing strong security measures and voter access opportunities. The study, conducted by University of New Mexico (UNM) Professor Emeritus Lonna Atkeson, now Director of the LeRoy Collins Institute at Florida State University (FSU), along with UNM Political Science Professor Wendy Hansen, supported by New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, delves into the changes and advancements in election administration.

Atkeson, one of the key figures behind the NMES, expressed, "New Mexico does elections well," attributing the state's top rank in the Election Performance Index to the study. Toulouse Oliver highlighted the importance of the data in understanding voter perspectives and areas for improvement, stating, "Though it’s a great achievement that New Mexico’s election administration has been ranked first in the nation, there’s always room for growth."

The 2022 New Mexico Election Administration, Voter Security, and Election Reform Report, the ninth in the series, provides a comprehensive analysis of election integrity in the state. Hansen emphasized the continuous need for improvement, particularly in enhancing voter confidence in ballot secrecy.

The report covers various aspects of the 2022 election, including voter turnout, same-day registration, demographic breakdowns, and voter experiences. It also addresses voter confidence levels, with data showing the impact of privacy concerns on ballot counting certainty.

Recommendations from the report advocate for initiatives such as educating voters on ballot secrecy, expanding the availability of privacy sleeves for in-person voting, and enhancing mail-in ballot tracking programs. Atkeson and Hansen also propose measures to address issues like receiving erroneous ballots and improving voter trust in the election system.

New Mexico's voter-centric approach, with features like no-excuse absentee balloting and automatic voter registration, has positioned the state as a leader in voter accessibility. The unique research conducted through NMES sets New Mexico apart, offering a valuable resource for understanding voting patterns and areas for enhancement.

The comprehensive insights provided by the 2022 NMES report serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, election administrators, and the public to further strengthen the electoral process in New Mexico.