City requests investigation as Doña Ana County Clerk says documents were recorded but not submitted to elections officials.
Sources: City of Sunland Park, Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office (via Facebook)
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. — Three general obligation bond questions totaling $8.25 million will not appear on Sunland Park voters’ November 3 general election ballots, prompting the City to request an investigation into how the measures were omitted.
In an October 31 letter to Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin, City Manager Mario Juarez-Infante called for a review of the ballot preparation process, including the actions of City officials, the County Clerk’s Office and other agencies involved.
The Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office issued its own statement the same day, acknowledging that the City submitted documents for recording in August but maintaining that the materials were not separately brought to the attention of its Bureau of Elections.
At issue is whether the City’s filing of its bond resolution satisfied the requirements for placing the questions before voters.
City Says Resolution Was Filed Before Deadline
According to the City, the Sunland Park City Council adopted Resolution 2026-85 on August 18, calling for three general obligation bond questions totaling $8.25 million.
The City states that the County Clerk’s Office received and recorded the resolution on August 21, four days before the August 25 statutory deadline for local governments to file ballot questions.
The City identified Receipt No. 1109394 as documentation of the filing.
However, on October 30, City officials confirmed that the three questions were absent from the general election ballot.
Juarez-Infante subsequently requested a written investigation tracing how the resolution was received, routed and handled, along with an explanation of where the process broke down.
The City emphasized that it is not assigning blame in advance and wants the review to examine any actions or omissions by its own officials.
“We are government. We must learn from situations like this one, and we are all accountable,” Juarez-Infante said.
County Clerk Distinguishes Recording From Ballot Submission
In its October 31 response, the Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office confirmed that Sunland Park submitted a resolution and two ordinances to its Recording & Filing Department on August 21.
Those documents, according to the Clerk’s Office, were processed as standard recordings.
However, the office maintains that recording documents does not automatically initiate the process of placing questions on an election ballot.
That responsibility requires coordination with the Bureau of Elections, which prepares and certifies ballot content.
The Clerk’s Office said a comprehensive search of Bureau of Elections records found no emails, telephone calls, correspondence or other communications from Sunland Park officials, including the City Clerk’s Office, concerning the bond questions after the documents were recorded and before the August 25 filing deadline.
According to the County Clerk, the City’s October 30 inquiry was the Bureau of Elections’ first notification that the bond questions were expected to appear on the ballot.
The Clerk’s Office also noted that ballots were certified by September 4, sample ballots had been available through the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website since September 20, and the official Notice of Election was published October 13.
Investigation and Possible Special Election
Sunland Park is requesting a documented timeline of the filing and ballot preparation process, findings identifying any procedural failures and an assessment of lawful options for correcting the omission.
Those options could include a special election to place the three bond questions before voters.
The City has requested an initial response by noon Monday, November 2, preliminary findings within five business days and a final written report within ten business days.
Juarez-Infante also requested preservation of relevant records, including emails, ballot versions and communications with election vendors.
If the investigation determines that County actions caused the omission, the City has reserved the right to seek reimbursement of documented expenses associated with correcting the problem, including potential special election costs, to the extent permitted by law.
The County Clerk’s Office said it remains committed to working with Sunland Park and the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office to determine appropriate next steps.
Neither statement establishes who bears legal responsibility for the omission, and no date or cost for a possible special election has been announced.
Residents can follow updates through the City’s general obligation bond information page.
Voters with election questions may contact the Doña Ana County Bureau of Elections at 575-647-7428 or visit dacelections.com.
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