FYI
Today’s ABQ Journal has a lengthy article about these City Charter ballot questions.
From: Karen Mendenhall <abqkaren@gmail.com>
Sent: October 16, 2024 4:49 PM
To: Sally Beers <shelly1648@yahoo.com>
Cc: Mary H Smith <maryhenrie@msn.com>; neighbors <neighbors@nobhill-nm.com>; kingkb <kingkb@mail.swcp.com>
Subject: Re: [Neighbors] Voter's guide?
Thanks for your input, Sally Beers. I am shocked that two such inadequate questions regarding amending the ABQ City Charter made it on the ballot in present form. The ballot questions fail to tell voters what the effect of a yes vote will have. Please compare the City Charter questions with the several Bond issues printed adjacent to the City Charter questions. Each bond question spells out how much money is involved; how the money will be spent; and in what time frame. Plainly voters know what the effect of a yes vote means on the bond questions. Conversely, there is no way to know what the voter is voting for by voting yes to change the City Charter. Or what harm will come about by such a vote. And maybe that what certain Councilors want. On the other hand, there’s no harm in voting NO.
If some Councilors want to amend the City Charter, they must make it clear to voters what they want and why. Failing to do so disrespects the voters and the voting process. And while the LWV voting guide may be a useful resource, voters are not required to study a voting guide before they vote, nor should they be required to. Ballot questions must be clear enough on their face that a voter can understand the effect of what they are voting for or against.
I’m voting NO on the ABQ City Charter questions.
Peace, Karen
“People have the power to wrestle the earth from fools.” Patti Smith
karen,
thank you for your input on this.
it would be great if the language on our ballots would not leave us confused and with questions.
i also plan to vote "no" on those 2 city charter issues, despite advice from a retired "progressive" state senator.
sally beers
Hello Neighbors. There are two questions on the second page of the ballot that address amending the Albuquerque City Charter. Neither disclose what the effect of a No or Yes vote would be. As it turns out, one of the questions would change the percentage of votes cast to elect the office of mayor from 50% to something less than 50%. The ballot question doesn’t give these details. A few years ago ABQ voters passed a measure to require that whoever is elected mayor be elected by a majority of votes cast. This new question effectively takes that earlier voter majority decision. The other question would impact the administrative powers of mayor. In my humble opinion, these are both complex issues that require more voter education and a clearer description of what a Yes or No vote would mean. I for one plan to vote NO on both City Charter questions.
“People have the power to wrestle the earth from fools.” Patti Smith
As mentioned earlier, you can access a lot of voting information from the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico website at https://www.lwvcnm.org/: 1. the printed LWVCNM Voter Guide is available in PDF form
2. a list of the printed LWVCNM Voter Guide distribution sites. Distribution sites include: early voting sites, public libraries, senior and community centers and a good number of businesses.
In addition, you can also use www.vote411.org – plug in your address and you get information about everything on your ballot. Early voting is available now at the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Annex at 1500Lomas Blvd NW, and expands to multiple Early Voting sites this Saturday, October 19.
You can get a sample ballot from the Secretary of State site at NMVote.org. The League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico site has lots of other info athttps://lwvcnm.org. Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
-------- Original message --------
Date: 10/13/24 1:38 AM (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Neighbors] Voter's guide?
Hi all,
Does anyone have the link to the voter's guide and/or a sample ballot?
Early voting is coming up very soon!
Thanks,
Karen