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State health orders apply to in-person voting

DEMING – Numbers were high this week for the first week of early voting, according to Luna County Clerk Andrea Rodriguez. The 2020 General Election has drawn plenty of attention on the heels of the first U.S. Presidential Debate and the COVID-19 pandemic, as Luna County voters took advantage of the early-voting process on Tuesday to cast their ballots.

“Early voting has been brisk; Rodriguez told the Headlight in a Wednesday afternoon interview. “I think the COVID-19 has people wanting to avoid crowds and there appears to be more interest in this election.”

The county clerk’s office is the early-voting location at the historic Luna County Courthouse on 700 S. Silver St. As of Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2020, approximately 396 early voting ballots have been received. At noon on Thursday there were a dozen people waiting outside the clerk’s office waiting to cast a ballot. Luna County registered voters have until Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020 to cast an early ballot at the clerk’s office.

Absentee applications can be requested by calling the clerk’s office at 575-546-0494 or at nmvote.org. The final day to request an absentee application is Oct. 20, 2020.

An alternate early-voting site at the Mimbres Valley Learning Center is set to open on Oct. 17, to accommodate more voting activity. MVLC is located at 2300 E. Pine St. Voting will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

“There are plenty of options to voting safely due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rodriguez said. “Our office is here to help you with the process.”

You can now vote at the clerk’s office is from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

“Based on early voting, it appears there is more participation in this election then I can remember in recent years,” Rodriguez said. “We had 180 ballots cast on Tuesday and we are well over 100 today (Wednesday afternoon).”

Columbus, NM residents must travel to Deming in order to early vote or they can request an application for an absentee ballot to be mailed.

Rodriguez added: “We are trying to do the best we can to accommodate voters, considering the circumstances.

The clerk’s office has three voting booths available inside, with social distancing in mind. Face coverings are also required. Hands sanitizer is available, along with disposable pens. There is outside seating available, as voters wait to enter the courthouse annex.

Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-546-2611 (ext. 2606) or [email protected]

Luna County early voting

Who: Registered Luna County voters

What: 2020 General Election

When: Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday

Where: Luna County Clerk’s Office in the historic Luna County Courthouse, 700 S. Silver Street, Deming, NM

Alternate early voting site: Mimbres Valley Learning Center will open for early voting on Oct. 17. Hours and days are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday

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