Wards throughout the state are currently holding elections to select delegates to the State Pre-Primary Democratic Party Convention. To continue the work of developing an open, responsive, inclusive, and democratic (small d) Democratic Party, we need people to step up, attend their ward meeting & elect progressive Dems to be delegates at the State Convention.

A Call to Registered Democrats. Time to Stand Up and Show Up to Create a More democratic (small d) Democratic Party

Between now and the end of February, counties throughout New Mexico will be holding Ward elections either in single, county wide conventions or in Ward meetings occurring separately throughout the County. The purpose of the elections is to select delegates to the State Pre-Primary Convention. In brief, at the Pre-Primary Convention, delegates will vote on the State Platform (this year a very good one) and vote for Democratic candidates running for statewide office. A candidate needs 20% of delegate votes to appear on the primary ballot. And in many races there are 3-4 candidates, so the vote makes a big difference. What’s more, delegates will mingle with other party activists, make connections, and initiate plans to continue working to strengthen the Party by making it more inclusive and open. But to do this, we need many, many of you to give up a couple hours to attend your Ward Meeting and to either run to be a delegate at the Convention or to vote for a good progressive delegate candidate. Click here for a more detailed discussion of the Ward process and the Convention and its purpose.

In 2016, a large number of NM Democrats from throughout the state were offended by the DNC in Washington, were appalled by DPNM’s oh-so-moderate platform, and took umbrage with DPNM leadership’s reluctance to embrace a new wave of Democrat activists eager to revitalize the Party. Activists didn’t just get mad, they dug in, running for Ward Chairs and to be delegates at the 2016 State DPNM Pre-Primary Convention. We voted down the tepid platform and laid plans for running candidates for County and State Central Committees and key committees where Party rules, resolutions, platforms, and other party decisions are made. And we won. Throughout the state, historically inactive and moderate Party membership is becoming more active and more progressive. 

As a result of this activism, a good deal is being accomplished and a network of activist energy is being organized. Over time, grassroots connections are being made across the state, linking the work of party activists with environmental activists, tribal groups, faith organizations, and issue-specific groups who seek progressive solutions to New Mexico’s problems.

Within the state Democratic Party, a new caucus is forming — Adelante: The Progressive Caucus of New Mexico, developing bylaws, building its membership, and preparing an application to become an official caucus of DPNM with a vote anticipated at the April 21 State Central Committee meeting in Truth Or Consequences. Once approved, Adelante will be an official body within the DPNM, advocating for party reform and progressive policies. The DPNM Platform Committee had significant progressive membership and leadership who led a highly inclusive and participatory process resulting in an excellent platform that will be voted on at the Pre-Primary Convention on March 10. Click here to review the platform draft.

But to extend this work, we need you and we are not asking for much: Use the links below to identify the date, time, and location of your Ward meeting or County Convention. Santa Fe is holding Ward meetings from Feb 17-Feb 20 in various locations. Bernalillo County is holding its Ward elections throughout the County on Feb. 24. Other counties are hosting County Conventions where all the wards will meet and elect delegates in one location. (A few counties have already held delegate elections.)

Below are links to elections in several counties, including the complete schedule of Santa Fe Ward Meetings with times, locations, and the number of delegates to be selected in each Ward. If we are going to achieve social, economic, racial, gender, and environmental justice in our state and nation, we all need to be involved in different forms of activism: canvassing and phone banking, lobbying at the Roundhouse, marching and educating our friends and family. But we also need to change the rules and structures within which political decisions are made. And we need you to do this. So scan the information below and get in the game.

In solidarity, Paul & Roxanne.

No matter which county you live in, you will need to identify your precinct to identify the ward in which you vote. To find your precinct, click here. Once you have your precinct, Santa Fe Democrats can scroll to the end of this page to find out when and where your Ward meets. For those in other counties, first identify your precinct number. If you are in Rio Arriba, Bernalillo, Taos, or Dońa Ana counties, use the links below to find the date, time and location of your election. If you live in another county, simply Google: Democratic Party of [your county], e.g.  “Democratic Party of Lea County.” County sites either link to the state website with dates and locations of elections or have the information on their own site. But whatever you do…show up! If you don’t want to be a delegate, show up and vote for a progressive who does.

Please arrive early to register. Doors will often be locked once the meeting begins, and you won’t be allowed in!

Sandoval County got a head start on the process, holding its Ward elections on Feb 3.

Rio Arriba County Democrats. Feb 24, 3:15pm, Abiquiu Rural Events Center. US Highway 84 and State Road 555, House #122A,

Dona Ana County Democrats. Ward elections occur at the County Convention, Feb 17, 9:30am – Doors open at 8:45 am for registration. Location @ Oñate High School’s Commons Area. Please park and enter through the East Doors. Click here for more information.

Bernalillo County Democrats. Ward Meetings occur throughout the day on Feb. 24, at different times and locations throughout the county. For times, locations, etc. Click here.

Taos County Convention and Ward Elections. Feb 24, 2pm. Location TBD. Does anyone up in Taos have the location and a link to where you can get information?

The Democratic Party of Santa Fe County conducts its Pre-Primary Convention to confirm the election of said delegates, to hear from candidates, and for such other business as may come before it on Feb. 23, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. with registration commencing at 4:00 p.m. at Ortiz Middle School, 4164 South Meadows Road, Santa Fe, NM. This is not where Ward elections occur. Delegate elections occur earlier, at the Ward meetings below.

The Democratic Party of Santa Fe County conducts its Pre-Primary Convention to confirm the election of said delegates, to hear from candidates, and for such other business as may come before it on the 23rd day of February, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. with registration commencing at 4:00 p.m. at Ortiz Middle School, 4164 South Meadows Road, Santa Fe, NM.

State Central Committee members and Pre-Primary Delegates and Alternates will attend the State Pre-Primary Convention on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Santa Fe County is allocated 160 Pre-Primary Delegates of which 157 are allocated to Congressional District 3 and three Pre-Primary Delegates to Congressional District 1.

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