Doña Ana County clerk debunks online claims about ballot markings, disqualification
Doña Ana County election officials reject viral claims about ballot markings and explain how ballots that cannot be read by machines may still be counted.
Election officials say workers do not write on voters' ballots and that marks on a ballot do not automatically prevent it from being counted.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - The Doña Ana County Clerk's Office is pushing back against misinformation circulating on social media that alleges election workers are writing on voters' ballots, causing those ballots to be disqualified.
County election officials said Wednesday, Oct. 14, that the claim is false and urged voters to rely on verified information as early voting continues ahead of New Mexico's Nov. 3 general election.
Although the allegation does not appear to have originated in Doña Ana County, the Clerk's Office said it has spread across New Mexico, creating potential confusion about how ballots are handled and counted.
Clerk's Office explains ballot procedures
According to the county, the online claim refers to supposed "poll worker managers," but that is not an official election position in New Mexico. The Clerk's Office also said election officials do not write on voters' ballots.
Importantly, the county emphasized that writing on a ballot does not automatically disqualify it. A ballot that cannot be read by a voting tabulator may still be counted through established procedures, including a hand tally when necessary.
The Clerk's Office did not identify a specific social media post or report any local incident involving improperly marked ballots in its announcement.
County officials encouraged voters to verify election-related claims before sharing them and to contact election administrators directly with questions about voting procedures.
Important election dates approaching
The warning comes as additional voting opportunities are scheduled to begin across Doña Ana County.
Seven more early voting locations are scheduled to open Saturday, Oct. 17, expanding access ahead of the general election.
Other approaching deadlines include:
- Oct. 20: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot.
- Oct. 31: Final day of early voting.
- Nov. 3: Election Day, with polling locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voters seeking information about absentee ballots, early voting locations or Election Day voting convenience centers can visit DACElections.com.
The county also encouraged residents to consult the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office for verified statewide election information.
The Clerk's Office said spreading unverified claims can contribute to confusion and undermine confidence in the election process.
