Published in the Alamogordo Daily News Sunday October 9, 2005

Election Forum Proves Informative, Amusing by Ellen Wedum   The differences between how lawyers write legislation and how county clerks view its implementation led to some laughs during the information sessions on the ways that Bill 270 has changed New Mexico voting procedures. Two free forums were presented at the Alamogordo Public Library Wednesday October 5, at 1pm and again at 6pm. The forums were sponsored by the Democratic Women of Otero County and presented by County Clerk Robyn Silva.   Section 45 of Bill 270 requires the county to have a "mobile" alternative voting place for early voting. A member of the audience suggested that this sounded as if there would be something like an ice cream truck driving around with a little bell on it so that voters could run up and cast their ballots. County Clerk Robyn Silva laughed and agreed that this is what she and her staff had visualized too.   Several improvements have been made in the registration and voting process, such as the revised registration forms that provide a copy to the person being registered by a third party so that if they don't receive their voter registration card they can call the clerk's office or come in with legal documentation to show that they did register. No one will be prevented from voting if their form is not returned by the person who registered them, as apparently happened in some states during the last election cycle.   In fact, the general conclusion was that a voter is now better off being registered by a third party, at a fair booth, at the Department of Motor Vehicles or another public facility, or in person at the clerk's office, rather than mailing in a form on their own. The identification requirement when they go in to vote can then be as simple as their just telling the poll worker their name, year of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number.   As extra insurance, Section 9 of Bill 270 states that between sixty and forty days before each primary election, the County Clerk shall send to each registered voter a free Voter ID card. This will happen every two years, which will help to keep the voter rolls up to date; however the cost to the state is estimated at $1.6 Million for each election cycle. Silva pointed out that these cards may cause some confusion as voters who are not registered as a member of a party with primary elections will not be able to vote in the primaries even though they receive a card.   There are some improvements in the handling of absentee ballots, including the requirement that a security flap cover the voter ID information on the envelope (Section 46), and provisions in Sections 50 and 51 to allow absentee ballots to be processed starting at 7am on the Thursday prior to election day. This will mean that absentee ballot totals will be made available in a more timely fashion. The ballots will have the voter identification verified and they will then be inserted into an electronic voting machine. Silva emphasized that the machines can only be totaled once, and this will only be done after the polls have closed and all the absentee ballots have been processed.     There were many other changes in procedures that will be important for political parties and candidates to know, and more changes may be made in the January legislative session. Silva provided an eight-page handout to accompany her presentation, which took over an hour. Audience members were grateful for the summary of the 81-page bill. "I didn't have to take so many notes," commented Scott Millar, Democratic precinct 5 (Timberon) chair.   Silva also mentioned that she is recruiting poll workers for next year's primary and general elections. The basic salary for the 14-hour day is $115. Poll workers must be 18 years old or older and be registered to vote.   about 640 words   Caption 1: Robyn Silva listens intently to a question from the audience during her presentation on NM Bill 270. The free forum, "What's New, What's Old, and What Everyone Should Know" about changes in the electoral procedure took place at the Alamogordo Public Library on Wednesday October 5.   Caption 2: Robyn Silva (right) and Howard Barkley chat as audience members take their seats for her presentation, "What's New, What's Old, and What Everyone Should Know." Silva explained changes in the electoral procedure caused by the passage of Bill 270 at the free forum on Wednesday October 5 at the Alamogordo Public Library.

ELECTION MATTERS-- Robyn Silva listens intently to a question from the audience during her presentation on NM bill 270. The free forum on electoral procedures took place at the Alamogordo Public Library Wednesday.