Ariana Marmolejo Regional Communications Strategist (West) | Common Cause New Mexico
A coalition of 12 organizations, led by Common Cause New Mexico, gathered at Albuquerque City Hall to advocate for the adoption of ranked choice voting (RCV) in municipal elections. The group, known as Ranked Choice Voting ABQ, provided public comments urging city leaders to implement the system.
Currently, Albuquerque requires a runoff election if no candidate secures at least 51% of the vote. These runoffs can cost taxpayers over one million dollars each and often result in low voter turnout. Supporters argue that ranked choice voting would eliminate the need for such costly runoffs while producing more representative results and potentially increasing voter participation.
Other major cities in New Mexico, including Santa Fe and Las Cruces, have already adopted ranked choice voting. Nationwide, 52 cities across 23 states and Washington, D.C., use RCV, giving nearly 14 million voters more options and saving public funds.
During the rally, Mason Graham, Policy Director at Common Cause New Mexico, stated: “Albuquerque’s City Council has been dragging their feet when it comes to ranked choice voting, claiming it’s too complicated for voters. Common Cause believes in and trusts the voters to pick the candidates that best represent them. It’s time for our city to embrace change, save taxpayer money, and allow voters more opportunity to make their voices heard.”
Andrea Serrano, Executive Director of OLÉ, said: “New Mexico has been on the forefront of democracy reforms and has one of the best Voting Rights Acts in the country; Albuquerque needs to modernize municipal elections by implementing Ranked Choice Voting. This ensures that peoples’ voices are truly represented and saves the city millions of dollars by eliminating the runoff process which is long and cumbersome.”
Sachi Watase from New Mexico Asian Family Center commented: “When every vote counts, our democracy works better. Ranked Choice Voting encourages collaboration instead of competition, reducing divisive campaigning. By allowing candidates to earn support beyond first-choice votes, it refocuses our elections on ideas and community, not ego and division — reminding us that public service should be about people, not politics.”
Marshall Martinez of Equality New Mexico added: “A democracy that engages more people, further engages LGBTQ people who are currently strategically under-engaged by the system.”
Alwen Salazar from NM CAFe remarked: “Ranked choice voting is democracy in action. New Mexicans should be able to freely express their beliefs at the ballot box without any limitations. Implementing a ranking system in our elections enables constituents to consider all issue matters, ensuring well-informed decision-making when casting a vote.”
John Martinez with Conservation Voters New Mexico said: “Without a healthy democracy, we cannot win our fights for a healthy environment and thriving communities. Ranked Choice Voting is a step forward in strengthening our democracy, and gives voters the freedom to choose candidates who best represent their values. Conservation Voters New Mexico is proud to support measures that give more power to voters.”
