Vote by Mail, New Mexico!

by Seth Michaels, Aug 5, 2008

Don Manning, Labor 2008 state director for New Mexico, reports on that state’s Vote by Mail program.

New Mexico is a key swing state with several competitive races, so it will be essential that as many of our union brothers and sisters participate in this election as possible. A large part of that is becoming a reality through Vote by Mail. Voting by mail is easy, and it’s beneficial to the voter and to our Labor 2008 political mobilization program.

We in the New Mexico Labor 2008 program are encouraging voters to consider the Vote by Mail option. You can request a ballot now through the Friday before the election (Oct. 31), and your ballot will be delivered to your door. You can take your time voting. There are no lines, no rush and no need to take time off from work. When you’re done voting, simply mail in your ballot, or drop it off at the County Clerk’s office. 

Arthur Prouse II, president of Postal Workers (APWU) Local 380, is a strong advocate for Vote by Mail.  

Vote by Mail is excellent because it leaves a hard-copy record to confirm your vote. It’s a lot harder to tamper with votes by mail. And of course, anything that goes through the mail is job security for postal workers.

Lindsay Burr, New Mexico Vote by Mail director and release staff from NALC, says that mail voting gives voters more options.

There are several ways in which Vote by Mail is beneficial. Voting by mail increases participation because voters have added flexibility that going to the polls on Election Day does not provide. It also reduces the impact of last minute negative campaigning because voters have their ballots starting October 7, almost a full month before the election.

Voting by mail also helps the Labor 2008 program focus our resources. The more union members who vote early, the more time we can spend talking to people who haven’t decided on their candidate. By voting early, you will not only be making the process easier on yourself, you also will be helping to strengthen our Labor 2008 program.

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