Audit: SOS Candidate López Askin's Clerk's Office Flagged for Missing, Incomplete Records

(Online Version): https://www.abortionfreenm.com/news/audit-sos-candidate-lopez-askins-clerks-office-flagged-for-missing-incomplete-records

Planned Parenthood-backed candidate opposes voter ID and the federal voter-roll audit presented to her for identifying noncitizens—while auditors flagged recordkeeping deficiencies in the Clerk's Office she already leads

By Bud Shaver, 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A sweeping 2026 State Auditor-commissioned investigation produced 42 significant findings and a stark warning of a "sustained and widening breakdown in accountability, coordination, and organizational structure."Among the records specifically examined were official records maintained by the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office—the office led by Amanda López Askin (D), who now wants to become New Mexico's next Secretary of State.

Auditors reviewing resolutions and ordinances maintained by López Askin's office identified referenced documents missing from the official record, incomplete supporting documentation, duplicate ordinances and referenced materials that could not be located. They warned that incomplete records could leave the public unable to determine the complete or final version of actions approved by county commissioners and "reduce transparency and accessibility" of official legislative records. 

Now López Askin is asking New Mexicans to promote her from County Clerk to the office entrusted with statewide election administration.

And the timing could hardly be more consequential.

At a critical moment for the future of the abortion industry and Democratic political control in New Mexico, Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico has picked its candidate for the office that will oversee New Mexico's elections through the 2028 presidential election: Amanda López Askin.

The stakes extend well beyond one election cycle.

The local officials that New Mexicans elect in 2026 and 2028 will determine the direction of the state on abortion and other major policies, while the 2028 presidential election will help determine federal abortion policy, judicial appointments, the federal courts and the direction of the country.

For Planned Parenthood and the abortion lobby, maintaining a favorable political environment in New Mexico is consequential to preserving the abortion policies they support.

And the abortion lobby has chosen who it wants serving as New Mexico's chief election officer during that critical period.

López Askin currently serves as Doña Ana County Clerk and is seeking statewide authority over election administration.

Her own written answers raise immediate questions about the election safeguards she would support.

HER ANSWERS ARE IN BLACK AND WHITE

In a candidate survey, the New Mexico Business Coalition asked López Askin directly:

QUESTION: 

Do you support or oppose requiring voter identification in all NM elections?

RESPONSE FROM NEW MEXICO CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE: ​

"OPPOSE." Amanda López Askin (D), Doña Ana County Clerk (Current)

QUESTION: 

Do you support or oppose the federal effort to audit NM voter rolls using all databases available to identify and remove any non-citizens?

RESPONSE FROM NEW MEXICO CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE: ​

"OPPOSE." Amanda López Askin (D), Doña Ana County Clerk (Current)

There is no need to speculate about her positions. She put them in writing.

CLICK TO READ THE CANDIDATE SURVEY

These answers are especially significant because López Askin is not seeking an unrelated government office.

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