Municipal elections don’t generally bring the same enthusiasm as federal elections, but they are still important nonetheless. The City of Hobbs has set the date for its upcoming municipal election to select several of its city officials.

March 1 of 2022 may seem like a long time from now, but to anyone in Hobbs running or thinking about running for City Commissioner or Municipal Judge, the time is short. 

Tuesday, March 1 is the date that the city will hold its “Municipal Officer Election.” According to a November 23 press release (PDF) from the City of Hobbs, the following positions are up for grabs:

• ONE – City Commissioner, District 1, to fill the remainder of a term ending in March of 2024.
• ONE – City Commissioner, District 4, for a four-year term.  
• ONE – City Commissioner, District 5, for a four-year term.
• ONE – City Commissioner, District 6, for a four-year term.
• ONE – Municipal Judge, at large, for a four-year term.

Requirements for Your Name to Be Printed on the Ballot 

Certain requirements are stipulated by New Mexico law for a person’s name to be printed on a ballot as a candidate. These requirements are based on the person’s “voter registration information,” states the press release. 

First, anyone who wishes to be a candidate for the March 1, 2022 Municipal Officer Election “must be registered to vote by December 1, 2021.”

Additionally, “City Commission candidates must be registered to vote and physically reside in the district they seek to represent by December 1, 2021.”

When it comes to running for Municipal Judge, the December 1, 2021 two-prong deadline of being registered to vote and residing within the municipal boundaries is likewise required. 

December 1, 2021 is basically only a week away, making the decision to run for one of the open positions imminent. 

Election Proclamation to Be Filed December 1, 2021 

On December 1, 2021 the “election proclamation” is filed in the Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State. According to the City of Hobbs press release, when filed “the candidate’s name and address must exactly match the [his or her] voter registration record.” 

The press release also notes that any and all changes to voter registration “must be effective on December 1, 2021.” 

Further, it is important to remember that “attempted changes to ballot name appearance at the time of candidate filing is not allowed.” 

Declarations of Candidacy to Be Filed on Tuesday, January 4, 2022

All candidates must file his or her “Declaration of Candidacy” on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm at the Hobbs’ City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 200 East Broadway Street, states the press release. 

For additional information about being a candidate, call the Hobbs’ City Clerk’s office at 575 – 397-9200. The City Clerk’s Office also welcomes inquiries from anyone wanting to be a precinct worker during the March 1 election.

Photo by Glen Carrie // Unsplash