Masks, gloves, absentee ballots
Taos County Clerk takes coronavirus precautions for voters
Due to concerns over COVID19, New Mexico voters are being encouraged to mail in requests for absentee ballots for the 2020 primary election.
According to the New Mexico Secretary of State website, absentee voting began May 5. Voters can request absentee ballots through the state’s website at sos.state.
nm.us. Voters can also request an absentee ballot from the Taos County Clerk’s office at (575) 7376380.
Ballot requests must be received by May 28 for the 2020 election.
In-person voting will also be available for voters on May 30 and on primary election day June 2.
Early voting in person is currently underway at the Taos County Administration building with a few added precautions to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Taos County Clerk Anna Martinez said masks and gloves are provided
to those who don’t have any upon walking into the voting area
“We do ask that [the public] wear them for the safety of themselves and our workers,” Martinez said.
Voting machines have been placed 10 feet apart to maximize social distancing. Pens are used once and then disinfected at the end of each day, according to Martinez.
The Taos County Board of Commissioners also passed a resolution to consolidate the polling places for the June 2 election in an effort to minimize staff requirements.
“A lot of our poll workers are over the age of 60 and they’re not really willing to work this election,” Martinez said.
Only 12 polling places will be opened this year. The list of polling places will be released soon by the clerk’s office pending final approval from the courts.
A number of New Mexico county clerks including Taos County’s Anna Martinez filed a motion to allow for a mail-in election only due to the concerns over the virus. The New Mexico Supreme Court denied the measure and said that voters were still able to cast absentee ballots.