OPINION: Both sides of politics be assured, New Mexico elections are secure

Recent statements by national and state political leaders asserting that New Mexico's elections are "corrupt" or fail to comply with federal election law are uninformed, incorrect and undermine voter confidence.

Observe New Mexico Elections is a group I've been involved with for two years. We train nonpartisan community members to monitor elections inside polling places across the state. Our observers rely on firsthand observation, not political rhetoric.

During the 2025 election cycle, 160 trained observers monitored elections in 29 of New Mexico's 33 counties. In this fall's municipal elections, 111 observers were present at 106 polling sites in 11 municipalities statewide. Observers arrived before polls opened, stayed through closing and watched election workers carry out their duties in accordance with established procedures.

What they saw was consistent: Polling locations opened and closed on time, voters were able to cast ballots securely and without interference, and election processes were conducted in an orderly and transparent manner. Assertions that New Mexico election officials cannot meet basic legal requirements are not supported by these observations. While no system is perfect, independent observation shows that New Mexico's elections function as intended and that safeguards designed to protect voters and ballots are being followed.

Anyone who claims that New Mexico’s election process is corrupt should bring forth the evidence. Accusations without evidence undermine public confidence and do a disservice to the election workers and volunteers who ensure our elections run fairly. We've documented what we observed across hundreds of polling sites. Where's the documentation of corruption?

People across the political spectrum want reassurance that their vote counts and that the system is fair. Based on what we observed statewide, New Mexicans can be proud of the way their elections are administered. Public confidence in elections is strengthened by facts and firsthand evidence — not by broad claims that are disconnected from what is happening in polling places across our state.

Garrey Carruthers was former Republican governor of New Mexico from 1987-1990. The op-ed was written with support from additional Observe New Mexico Elections members: Retired Justice Barbara J. Vigil, OBNME  advisory board; Maureen Sanders, OBNME advisory board member; Leonard Garman, Navajo Nation member, OBNME advisory board member; and Carmen J. Lopez, co-lead OBNME.