New Mexico Republican Chair Challenges Alamogordo Event Rules, Mayor Responds

Amy Barela using the platform of her position as chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico challenges Alamogordo City Government.

This Friday the City of Alamogordo issued a post that stated...

"The City of Alamogordo is proud to host events that bring our community together for family fun, great food, live entertainment, and support for local vendors. To keep these events enjoyable and welcoming for everyone, we want to remind our residents that Alamogordo is a nonpartisan municipal government, as established in our City Charter (Article VI, Section 4).

It has come to our attention that political booths may have appeared at past events. While this was not in line with our policy, we understand this may have resulted from miscommunication and staff turnover.

That said, we do support civic participation! Certified third-party voter registration agents may request a booth, provided they do not represent any political party or candidate and can provide proper certification documentation. To maintain a balanced and accessible environment, a maximum of two (2) voter registration booths will be permitted per event.

Want to register to vote? You can do so in several easy ways:

Online at www.sos.nm.gov
By mail – request a voter registration form
In person at the Otero County Clerk's Office (1104 N White Sands Blvd # C, Alamogordo, NM 88310)

 Interested in becoming a third-party voter registration agent? Visit the Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State's web page to get certified:
https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal/th…

Thank you for helping us keep our events enjoyable for everyone in the community! 

This policy was to prevent a perception of partisanship at city sponsored events such as Fourth Friday events.

Mrs Barela as chairwoman of the Republican Party issued the following statement...

The Republican Party of New Mexico expresses a concern regarding a trend among some municipalities—most recently the City of Alamogordo —to adopt policies that would limit voter registration booths at public events by classifying them as “partisan” or “civic outreach” activities. This approach is both legally and civically misguided.

Voter Registration is Non-Partisan

Under New Mexico law, certified Third-Party Voter Registration Agents (VRAs) are legally required to operate in a non-partisan manner. These agents are trained and regulated by the New Mexico Secretary of State to ensure impartiality when assisting citizens with the voter registration process. State statute NMSA 1978, Section 1-4-49(C) explicitly prohibits VRAs from engaging in political advocacy, altering information, or receiving compensation based on registration volume.

Civic Engagement is Not a Threat to Neutrality

Public events should promote civic pride and community involvement. Voter registration drives—when conducted lawfully—advance these goals by empowering citizens to participate in the election process. Banning these booths under the guise of neutrality risks sending the message that participation in elections is unwelcome or controversial.

This concern is amplified by Alamogordo’s recently adopted “Non-partisan Integrity at Public Events” policy, which broadly defines “civic outreach organizations” as those involved in “public policy advocacy or civic engagement,” and bars them from participating in city events altogether. Such language could inadvertently ban lawful, constitutionally protected activities like voter registration and civic education. Protecting Access, Upholding the Law

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) encourages expanded access to voter registration services. Communities across our state and nation routinely host nonpartisan voter registration booths at fairs, markets, and festivals—with no threat to public neutrality or city governance.

Furthermore, this type of restriction may invite legal scrutiny under the First Amendment, as courts have ruled against blanket prohibitions on non-disruptive civic activity in public forums.

RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela calls for thoughtful policy: “I respectfully urge every municipal government in New Mexico to review its policies with care. We must draw a clear line between partisan political activity, which can rightly be limited at official city events, and non-partisan civic engagement, which should be welcomed and encouraged. As Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, I stand firmly for election integrity and civic participation. Ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to register—without party pressure—is foundational to those principles.Let us not conflate nonpartisan voter registration with political campaigning. I urge you to amend or avoid policies that do so and instead embrace lawful, neutral civic participation as a benefit to your community.”

Mayor Susan Payne Commentary On No Partisan Politics At City Events responds in an interview with Anthony Lucero 
https://youtu.be/bOiSqYoHr9s

KALH radio interview with Susan Payne

Commentary:

Municipal and County governments are supposed to be nonpartisan per state law

Ironically, the Otero County Commission is exclusively Republican. The City Commission is a majority Republican. The recent squabbles between County and Municipal governments appear to be a splintering of the Republican County Party theology.

There has been significant interference in city affairs by members of the Otero County government of recent weeks. More to come on that in a developing story later this week in a series of articles in response to recent IPRA findings. 

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