The November 3 ballot is one of the lengthiest ballots voters will be dealing with in some time. The ballot includes the elected federal offices of one United States Senator, United States House Representatives, all state wide offices (Governor and Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Public Lands and Court of Appeals Judge), County Officials (Two County Commissioners, County Assessor) and numerous Judge races and Judge Retentions. The public has been inundated with political advertising by the candidates.
On the November 3 ballot after all candidates for office are 3 constitutional amendments, City of Albuquerque Charter Amendments and State, County and Municipal Bonds seeking funding for projects. This article deals with the various ballot measures on the ballot in Bernalillo County only. The link to the Secretary of State’s office to look up sample ballots for all other counties in the entire state is here:
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
On Nov. 3, New Mexicans will vote on four amendments to the state Constitution. These are bipartisan proposals, passed by the Legislature in 2025 and 2026. The intent of the 4 measures is to strengthen democratic representation.
“The first amendment … [was] unanimously approved by the Legislature. [It] would end the governor’s power to reject bills without giving a reason. Today, if the governor does not sign or veto a bill within 20 days after session ends, the bill dies without explanation. From 2014 to 2024, 143 bills met that fate. This amendment would require an explanation, helping legislators improve proposals the following year without limiting the governor’s veto power.”
“The second amendment … would remove the constitutional requirement that school elections be held separately from other elections. It would allow the Legislature to move school board races to even-year general elections, where turnout is higher, and reduce costly special elections for school bonds and other ballot questions.”
“The third amendment … would make university regent nominations more democratic. Regents shape university policy, finances and decisions that affect students’ futures. Currently, student nominees must come from a list provided by the university president. This amendment would shift that role to student government, create a similar nominating commission for non-student regents and strengthen guardrails against partisanship. The goal is to ensure qualified applicants can be considered without needing insider connections.”
“[The fourth amendment] would establish a legislative salary in New Mexico for the first time, equal to the state’s median household income of $64,140, according to the Federal Reserve. Median income better reflects a typical household than extremely high incomes, helping align lawmakers’ incentives with everyday realities. A modest salary would also make public service possible for more New Mexicans and reduce reliance on lobbyists by giving legislators more time for independent research.”
The link to the relied upon and quoted news source is here:
ALB CITY CHARTER AND TAX MEASURES
At the bottom of the ballot and after federal, state and local leadership elections and constitutional amendments are three questions voters must decide. The three questions determine how Albuquerque City government operates, what taxes it raises and which projects it completes. The questions include a tax and multiple amendments to the City Charter, the City of Albuquerque’s governing document. Following is a description of the two measures:
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENTS
Two questions ask Albuquerque voters to weigh amendments to the Albuquerque City Charter.
“The first question asks voters whether to repeal a section of the City Charter that forbids the city from spending more than $10 million on a performing arts center. This charter amendment is a remnant from the early 1990s dealing with the 1987 City Council enacted 10-year “quality-of-life” tax to build the balloon museum, the science museum, aquarium, the botanical gardens, a performing arts center and the acquisition of critical open space in the foothills to complete the city’s acquisition of open space.
(EDITOR’S FULL DISCLOSURE: In 1987, then Albuquerque City Councilor Pete Dinelli was the sponsor or co-sponsor of 3 out of 4 city council initiated measures that were consolidated and became the “Quality of Life Tax” enacted by the city council. The 10 year Quality of Life Tax was enacted on a 9-0 bipartisan vote after numerous and lengthy public hearings conducted throughout the city at various venues to identify the need and to secure public support for major projects needed for a growing city).
Voters very unhappy with the city council enacted “quality of life tax” and approved an amendment to the charter in 1991 that required any “large building projects” to be put to a public vote. The initiative was directed exclusively at the building of a “performing arts center” without a public vote. The charter amendment about the performing arts center remained largely forgotten until it became a roadblock for Councilor Joaquín Baca and others who hoped to build a large-scale venue in Albuquerque. The question was intended to go out to voters last year, but it was never placed on the ballot due to a “clerical error,” according to the City Clerk’s Office. The mistake wasn’t noticed until early voting had already begun. This year the question is now on the ballot.”
The second question will determine public safety leadership. In April, the council voted 7-2 to add a question about whether the position of Albuquerque Community Safety director should be elevated to Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Chief, joining the ranks of the Alb. Fire and Rescue Chief and the Albuquerque Police Chief. The Albuquerque Community Safety Chief would be an appointed position that both the mayor and City Council will have to agree on. Critics oppos elevating the ACS director, citing that while the Albuquerque Police Department and Albuquerque Fire Rescue are established public safety forces, the ACS program has yet to prove its efficacy. Proponents, however, argued that the rank change would lend legitimacy to the civilian-response program they see as vital.”
TAX REVENUE QUESTION
“The final question asks voters to decide how money from the Public Safety Tax should be spent. Voting yes on this question would not raise the tax rate, as the tax was initially implemented in 2004. Last year the tax, a portion of the city’s gross receipts tax earnings, raised $58 million for public safety. Currently, that $58 million is divided four ways: among police, fire and emergency response, corrections and crime prevention and intervention.
This ballot question proposes raising APD’s share of the tax by 1%, from 34% to 35%. It also proposes adding 4% to AFR’s budget, moving from 34% to 38%. The most significant change, however, is in breaking down the broad crime prevention and intervention category, currently 26% of the tax revenue, into defined departments.
The ballot question proposes spending 8% on ACS, 8% on the city’s Health, Housing and Homelessness Department and 5% on Code Enforcement.
Revenue for corrections remains the same, at 6%, which will be spent on prisoner transport.”
The link to the relied upon or quoted news source is here:
https://www.abqjournal.com/news/the-whats-what-on-albuquerque-municipal-ballot-questions/3147578
STATE, COUNTY AND CITY BONDING INITIATIVES
On November 3, voters will have to approve or deny several general obligation bonds. If approved, the money will go to state and local governments for infrastructure and public services. The state of New Mexico, Bernalillo County and the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority all have bond packages on the ballot for voter approval.
STATE BONDS
“The projects included in the state general obligation bonds were included in New Mexico House Bill 248, which passed unanimously in the state Legislature in February.” Ashley Leach, director of the State Board of Finance, said this about the general obligation bonds:
“Should the questions be approved by the voters, the State Board of Finance will conduct due diligence review of the projects to ensure they are ready to be included in the bond sale. ”
SENIOR CITIZEN FACILITIES
“A “yes” vote authorizes $21.6 million to the state of New Mexico to construct and remodel senior citizen facilities. The measure will allot more than $6 million to several projects in Albuquerque, including the Barelas Senior Center, the Cibola Loop Multigenerational Center, the Los Volcanes Senior Center, the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, the North Valley Senior Center and the Palo Duro Senior Center.”
LIBRARIES
The state of New Mexico seeks $19.3 million for books and other materials for academic, public school, higher education, public and tribal libraries.
HIGHER EDUCATION
“A “yes” vote authorizes the sale of up to $352.2 million in bonds for improvements to colleges, universities, special schools and tribal schools.
The biggest chunk of the funding ($116 million) will go to the University of New Mexico for construction of its new medical school. UNM will receive a total of $125.5 million for renovations at its main and branch campuses.
New Mexico State University will receive $98.7 million for six construction projects at its main campus in Las Cruces and other branch campuses throughout the state. The rest will be distributed to the state’s other public and tribal colleges.”
COUNTY BONDS
“Bernalillo County’s bond package is $45 million which is a standard amount, according to Kathy Korte, the county’s capital improvement program director. Bernalillo County has a triple-A bond rating, meaning the county has the highest level of credit for issuing bonds. If approved, there would be no changes to the property tax rate.”
LIBRARIES
“Bernalillo County seeks $2.5 million to buy materials and resources for any library within the county library system. Eligible materials include books, e-books, technology and other resources.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
“Bernalillo County seeks $8.9 million to improve the county’s health and public safety departments, police and fire stations, jail and detention centers, courthouses, youth and family service center, visitor center and learning facilities. The money will be used to construct and refurbish buildings, replace vehicles or heavy machinery and make county facilities more accessible as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
PARKS AND RECREATION
“The county is asking for roughly $20.4 million for building and refurbishing parks and recreational facilities, including swimming pools, community centers, playgrounds, ball fields, open spaces and cultural and educational facilities. Around $3.5 million will fund the completion of the Mesa del Sol Regional Outdoor Sports Facility. Some of the money will be used for the East Mountain and Ed Sandoval North Valley baseball complexes, Rio Bravo Park, Tom Tenorio Park and West Gun Club Park.”
TRANSPORTATION
“Bernalillo County is seeking around $6.2 million for building and repairing roads, sidewalks, bridges, bike paths, bike lanes, guard rails, paving, landscaping, traffic signals and other street improvements.
The bonds will fund, in part, construction on Atrisco Vista Boulevard North, Condershire Drive in the South Valley, Isleta Boulevard and roads in the East Mountains.”
STORM DRAINAGE
“Bernalillo County is seeking $1 million for building and repairing flood management systems, storm drainage facilities and sewer infrastructure.”
HOUSING
A “yes” vote will authorize $6 million to Bernalillo County for building and repairing affordable housing projects. The county does not yet have specific projects in mind, Korte said, but some of the funds will be used to refurbish housing for senior citizens.
ALBUQUERQUE MUNICIPAL BONDS
FLOOD CONTROL
A “yes” vote would authorize $30 million to the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority for construction and repair on the city’s storm drainage and flood control systems.
The link to the relied upon or quoted news source is here:
https://www.abqjournal.com/news/these-go-bond-packages-will-appear-on-the-ballot/3138088
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
There is little doubt that the November 3 election will be one of the most consequential elections nationwide and in New Mexico. Voters must also recognize the importance of down the ballot measures that get very little attention.
Voters are urged to study the proposals on the ballot, consider their merits, and are urged to vote YES on all the ballot measures.
Election day is November 3. Early voting began October 6 and goes to October 31, 2026 (county clerk offices October 6–16; expanded locations October 17–31; hours vary by location). Please vote!