Tuesday filing day for municipal officer elections

Tuesday is filing day for candidates in the March 1 municipal officer elections, as designated by New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

In Clovis, five city commissioner posts and the municipal judge’s seat will be on the March 1 ballot.

In Portales, voters will make choices on four city councilor positions and the mayor’s post.

In Clovis, District 1 Commissioner Juan Garza plans to run for his sixth term, while District 2 incumbent Gary Elliott declined to seek a third.

“I am in my eighth year, and I’m term-limiting myself,” Elliott said. He offered his support to “good candidates” who may run for the post.

James Burns also plans to run for his District 1 seat. Burns was appointed in October following the resignation of 2020 winner Leo Lovett, and will run for the final two years of the term.

Other Clovis commission incumbents whose positions are on the ballot and could not be reached on Friday include District 3 Commissioner Fidel Madrid, District 4 Commissioner Megan Palla and Municipal Judge Vicki Kelley.

In Portales, Mayor Ron Jackson, and Ward C incumbent and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Miller said they intend to run again.

Other Portales incumbents who could not be reached Friday include Jake Lopez, Ward A; Oscar Robinson, Ward B; and Dianne Parker, Ward D.

Clovis voters will also have four questions regarding the city charter. Questions include raising the recall petition signature requirement from 20% of prior municipal election turnout to 33 1/3%, requiring a recall petition include a reason, eliminating a section on term limits rendered unenforceable by the state constitution and an editing of the charter to be gender-neutral (i.e. amending sections where commissioners are referred to as “himself”).

Candidates wishing to appear on the ballot or designated representatives must submit completed declaration of candidacy forms between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday at their respective city clerk’s office — 321 N. Connelly St. in Clovis and 100 W. First St. in Portales. Forms are available from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website, but must be printed out and notarized to be official.

A link to candidate forms can be found at the bottom of the page at http://www.sos.state.nm.us/candidate-and-campaigns/how-to-become-a-candidate/2022-municipal-officer-election/.

Write-in candidates must file between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Jan. 11 at the same locations. That is also the last day for candidates to withdraw.