By: Hayley Klein
Executive Director, Artesia Chamber of Commerce.

Even if you are not watching, it is almost impossible not to hear about it. Yet, we seem to tune it all out on Election Day.

In a deeply polarized nation, we are fortunate to be pretty far away from ground zero. But the Permian Basin is a big part of the national conversation, even if we don’t call it by name. We just call it “Energy.” So, you’d think in the place that churns out much of the country’s energy resources, we would feel the energy to get to the polls, but we seem to have lost steam.

In the 2022 mid-term elections, statewide voter turnout was 52%. That is considerably better than the national turnout, which was 46%, the highest mid-term voter turnout since 1970, according to the Pew Research Center. Looking into our state’s 52%, Eddy County’s turnout was 49%, which is good compared to Chaves at 46%, Otero at 47%, and Lea at almost 38%. Meanwhile, up north, Los Alamos County boasted a 65% voter turnout, Santa Fe came in at 63% and Bernalillo at 54%, all contributing to bringing that statewide percentage up.

Compare all this to the 2018 mid-term election when statewide turnout was 55.6% and nationwide was 49%, the highest mid-term turnout since 1914. The counties in our area, including Eddy, had an average turnout of 5 points higher than in 2022.

Was it the 2020 presidential election that created a bit of a downturn? Well, during that election, the stakes seemed so high, and the dramatic political aftermath even higher. Joe Biden was running against incumbent Donald Trump, after he beat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.  Nationwide turnout was 66%, the highest presidential election turnout since 1900! Meanwhile in New Mexico, turnout was 68.7%! In Southeast New Mexico, Eddy turned out at 67%, Chaves 64%, Otero at nearly 65%, and Lea, sadly, at 56%. What got New Mexico to almost 69%? It was Santa Fe turning out 76.6% of its voters, Bernalillo 71%, and Los Alamos a whopping 81.5%. Wow!

Where are we, Southeast New Mexico? There are several so-called “reasons” not to vote, I suppose. Don’t know enough about the candidates. Don’t like any of the candidates. They don’t need my vote. My vote doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t have time. There are real responses to each of these concerns.

– It is not as difficult as one might think to get to know a candidate. There is plenty to read on any candidate. In our small communities, you have trusted friends and acquaintances who know about the candidates or may know them directly. And, often, the candidates make themselves available in our communities if you can find a little time to come ask questions and listen.

–  You don’t have to love everything about a candidate to support them. Just pick the one you think will mostly closely align with your vision for your community, state and country. Look at their records. Ask some questions. There is one who will get closer to your interests than the others. Don’t set your expectations so high that the first time you don’t agree with your candidate, you blow them off. Do some side-by-side comparisons.

–  Candidates need your votes. Many elections are closer than you think. Just a few percentage points more in turnout likely would make a difference.

– Your vote does matter. You may think your vote is wasted or elections are no longer fair, but a vote not cast is a vote definitely not counted.

– You do have time. Voting has become easy and accessible with early voting dates, absentee ballots, and voting convenience centers. Please spare a half an hour to vote. That’s about all it will take. If you have any doubt that you won’t be able to make on Election Day (November 5), then go vote early at the county clerk’s office. It’ll take you less than half an hour. And, you will be making a difference.

In the 2024 primary election, 25.5% of eligible voters in Eddy County turned out, although not high, still better than the statewide of just 23%. Primary election turnout never seems to be what a general election turnout is, but for us in Southeast New Mexico, primary elections can be very important. Most races directly related to our area of the state were settled in the primaries, and the winners do not face an opponent in the upcoming general election. Now, just because many of our candidates are uncontested this November, some statewide races are definitely contested and definitely need your vote.

Eddy County does make a difference to our state in so many ways. We are a net contributor to our state’s budget. Now, let’s be contributors to our elections, this year and in the years to come. If Santa Fe and Los Alamos counties can turn out in the 63% and higher range, so can we. We can do better, and we should. It’s our county, our state, our economy and our future. We need to show up for it.

Early voting is now open. Vote early at the County sub-office, 602 S. 1st St. Hours are October 8-18, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and October 19-November 2, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Election Day you can vote at any of the following locations:

Eddy County Sub-office, 602 S. 1st St.

Faith Baptist Church, 401 S. 20th St.

Central Valley Election, 1403 N. 13th St.

Trinity Temple Assembly of God, 16th & Hermosa

For voter information or to register to vote, call Artesia Chamber of Commerce. We can assist you or point you in the right direction. (575) 746-2744.