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Category: Politics: Enter at your own risk Politics: Enter at your own risk
Published: 31 March 2020 31 March 2020

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Republican Party of New Mexico encourages everyone to take precautions, practice safe health measures and do what’s required to protect oneself and families. The Party stresses that the health and safety of all New Mexicans are paramount. Therefore, the Party is currently conducting operations and communications remotely. The Party continues its mission and engagement, but will utilize virtual/remote practices for outreach, projects, campaign events and other initiatives.

REPUBLICAN PARTY OPPOSES COUNTY CLERKS' MOVE TO ASK THE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT TO HOLD MAIL-IN BALLOT PRIMARY

The Republican Party opposes a request by more than two dozen county clerks to ask the Supreme Court for an emergency order to have a mail-in ballot Primary. The workers say the Coronavirus has put their jobs and the voters' health at risk.

While everyone understands and appreciates the health and safety concerns during this pandemic, a vote-by-mail (VBM) election in New Mexico provides no security and no ability to control who votes once the ballots are mailed to every registered voter. The Party believes this motion bypasses the legislature and that a mail-in election would invite fraud and other issues. The Party does support what the law currently allows--mail-in absentee ballots.

Here's the ABQ Journal story.

Republican Party of New Mexico and GOP House and Senate Leadership File Lawsuit In New Mexico Supreme Court to Prevent Mail-In Ballot Primary Election

Suit Contends An All Mail-In Election Violates New Mexico’s Constitution, Lacks Security and Would Lead to Mass Fraud

Albuquerque March 31--Today the Republican Party of New Mexico and the House and Senate Caucuses filed a lawsuit in the New Mexico Supreme Court to block efforts to hold a statewide mail-in Primary Election. We believe the motion by county clerks to conduct a vote-by-mail (VBM) election bypasses the Legislature and invites statewide fraud. Republicans contend the clerks’ petition violates the New Mexico Constitution and the State’s separation of powers.
 
We oppose the county clerks’ request because the method offers no ballot security and could lead to voting violations. While everyone understands and appreciates the health and safety concerns during this pandemic, a VBM election provides no vote protection, no ability to control and track ballots or who is voting after ballots are mailed out.
 
“You cannot monitor votes in such a mail-in ballot election,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. “Many states that use this process can scan the ballots for security, but New Mexico doesn’t have the technology. Vote-by-mail is inclusive and you cannot check signatures, whereas you must apply for an absentee ballot, which is tracked and requires identification.”
 
The clerks are openly violating New Mexico’s separation of powers by asking the High Court to basically create “new law” in the area of elections, something that’s the responsibility of the state legislature. “Unfortunately there has not been a major effort by the Secretary of State to clean up the voter rolls in some time, and this deceptive effort will lead to voter fraud just as it has in other states,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend. “Flawed elections will lead to increased public distrust, and we have enough distrust of government in New Mexico.”
 
The lawsuit exemplifies these mail-in ballot dangers as manifested in the 2019 Albuquerque Public Schools bond and mill levy election. In that local election, more than 53,000 mail-in ballots out of 121,454 were returned as undeliverable. Those not returned may also have been fraudulently voted.
 
“This is not a partisan issue, but an election law issue. We cannot have the integrity of New Mexico’s elections tainted or stolen because of lack of security in the mail ballot process,” said Sen. Stu Ingle, Senate Republican Leader. “Such a Court decision could change the face of elections.”
 
Republican leadership and the Party do support what the law currently allows—mail-in absentee ballots. These would be tracked, monitored, and voters would have to apply and present proper identification. Nearly all Republican legislators and six county clerks support the lawsuit.  The Primary Election is June 2.

GUN STORES AND GUN RIGHTS SUPPORTERS FIRED UP OVER 'NON-ESSENTIAL' BUSINESS CLOSINGS

Some gun stores in California are open and another Blue State, New Jersey, is opening these businesses, so why won't this happen in New Mexico? Is New Mexico further left than the Golden State now? Among Gov. Lujan Grisham's recent decrees during this pandemic is to shut down non-essential businesses. It seems those include gun stores, and that's raised some questions around our state. This is problematic, as many New Mexicans feel unsafe and insecure at this time and should have the ability to purchase firearms and ammunition for protective reasons.

“The blanket order for nonessential business is understandable," said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. "But we believe the inclusion of gun stores as non-essential should be reconsidered to allow people to purchase protective firearms.”

Here's a story about the concerns in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

NEW MEXICO COUNTY DECIDES TO RELEASE SOME INMATES DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
The Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque is releasing some of its inmates considered vulnerable to coronavirus. The MDC identified 86 inmates who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for the medical risk of the virus. It seems 46 of 86 inmates are facing violent charges which deem them ineligible for release.

Nevertheless, this is tough to believe. Do we really want to release suspects who not only might jeopardize the health of the public but have the propensity to commit crimes?

CALL TO ACTION: Contact the County Commissioners and tell them NO to releasing inmates in these dangerous times:

Debbie O'Malley District1@bernco.gov
Steve Michael Quezada District2@bernco.gov
James Collie District3@bernco.gov
Lonnie C. Talbert District4@bernco.gov
Charlene E. Pyskoty District5@bernco.gov

 

PRESIDENT TRUMP APPROVES NEW U.S. ARMY FIELD HOSPITAL FOR NEW MEXICO

President Trump is making things happen here in New Mexico in the fight against Coronavirus. Trump has told Gov. Lujan Grisham that he will grant her request for a U.S. Army field hospital in Albuquerque. She had asked the Department of Defense for the 248-bed hospital last week, citing concerns about New Mexico hospitals’ ability to absorb a surge of novel coronavirus cases. Another example of how the President is taking charge and taking action to help the nation in need.

STAY INVOLVED
HELP SAVE NEW MEXICO'S SMALL BUSINESSES

The Coronavirus pandemic is hitting our small businesses hard, but the Trump Administration is now offering help.

The Administration is providing $500 billion in businesses loans.

Please CLICK HERE to get all the information and procedures for small business loans, and please share them with businesses in your communities. Details on loan forgiveness and interest are explained. Small businesses are the cornerstone of many communities, and it's vital that New Mexico businesses get these loans as soon as possible.

Of course the health and safety of all New Mexicans come first, but it's critical that local businesses get the support and financial assistance available to them.

Let's save our New Mexico businesses and keep our state strong.

PARTICIPATE IN A TRUMP VIRTUAL EVENT AND HELP PROTECT OUR 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Get fired up and fire back!

Too many people are taking aim at our beloved Constitution and have put our 2nd Amendment in their crosshairs.

Our right to bear arms is under attack: Red Flag laws, left-leaning agendas pushed by policymakers and dangerous liberal platforms of 2020 Democratic Presidential candidates—it’s all becoming the progressives’ ammunition to shoot down our God-given rights and Constitutional freedoms. They’re undermining a way of life long supported by law-abiding patriots, sportsmen and gun enthusiasts for generations in this great nation.

Now, this is your opportunity to fight back and stand up with President Donald J. Trump as we all defend and protect our 2nd Amendment rights! And your voices will be heard!

You’re invited to attend a VIRTUAL 2nd Amendment Coalition Conference Call on Thursday, April 2nd from 7:00 – 8:00 pm! Credentials for this virtual meeting will be issued On April 1, by 4 pm MT.

Special Guests on the Call:

Tim Macy
Chairman, Gun Owners of America and a member of its Board of Directors for more than 35 years.
Tony Mace
New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association President and Sheriff of Cibola County.
Stefani Lord
President of Pro-Gun Women New Mexico and gun rights advocate.
Louie Sanchez
Owner, Calibers Gun Shop, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

SENIOR CENTERS ACROSS NEW MEXICO NEED VOLUNTEERS

The Republican Party of New Mexico has been partnering with the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department to help meet the increased need to provide meals to our senior and disabled neighbors across the state. Just last week alone, more than 4,000 meals were packaged and delivered. This need is likely to increase in the coming weeks.

Many senior centers across the state are in need of local volunteers during this pandemic. If you are interested in helping, please locate the center(s) closest to you in the list below. Give them a call to see what their specific needs are in your area.

We will make it through this difficult time, together!