Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Weekly update — June 26

Absentee ballots available for Aug. 2 election

Tuesday is the first day voters can request an absentee ballot for the Aug. 2 city election on the affordable housing plan.

It was approved by the city commission May 5 in a 6-1 vote, but forced into a referendum election through petitions filed by the High Plains Patriots citizen group.

If approved, the plan would amend the city’s adherence to the state’s anti-donation clause to allow for affordable housing projects. The clause does not allow a municipality to directly or indirectly lend credit or make a donation to any person, association or company, but amendments are allowed for affordable housing or economic development.

Absentee ballots are available through July 29, and will be accepted until election day.

Early voting runs July 13-29 at city hall. Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 2, with the same precincts used in the May 3 referendum election.

Only registered voters living inside the Clovis city limits can vote. If a resident isn’t currently a registered voter, they must do so on or before July 5 to cast a ballot in the referendum election.

— Kevin Wilson