Anyone wanting his or her name to appear on the ballot as a candidate for one of the local offices up for grabs in the 2023 Regular Local Election must officially file a “Declaration of Candidacy” on August 29. Local election day is Tuesday, November 7.

The Lea County Clerk’s website states, “Candidate filing day for all local offices for the 2023 Regular Local Election is TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2023 – between 9:00 am and 5:00pm in the County Clerk’s office at 100 N. Main Street, Lovington, New Mexico.” Public entities must also submit the wording for “ballot questions” on this day. The Lea County Clerk’s office is the only location where filings may be submitted. 

Necessary forms for filing may be downloaded at the Lea County Clerk’s website. Eligibility requirements for anyone wishing to run for a position are also available for review on the website. Additionally, anyone with unanswered questions or needing more information is welcome to call the Lea County Clerk’s office at (575) 396-8619.

The Local Election Act

In 2018 the New Mexico Legislature passed the Local Election Act (LEA) that provides for “consolidated” local elections. “The LEA repealed the Municipal and School Board Election Codes and requires all elections to follow uniform election procedures for the call, conduct, and canvass of all elections,” states information published online by the office of New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

“The LEA established two new statewide elections – the Regular Local Election to elect local governing body members…held every November of the odd-numbers years” and the Municipal Officer’s Election to elect “the local governing body and any elective executive and judicial officers of a municipality held every March of even-numbered years.”

The LEA provides local municipalities, like Lea County, the choice to “opt-in” to the Regular Local Election in November, which is exactly the procedure that Lea County is now following.

Last March the county conducted a Municipal Officer’s Election. During that election, the cities of Hobbs and Lovington filled city commissioner and judgeship vacancies. Now on November 7 the towns of Eunice, Jal and Tatum will fill vacancies in these key local governing positions. Registered voters will be eligible to vote for candidates that parallel their residency. 

Vacancies to Be Filled 

The Lea County Clerk’s Office has provided a list of vacancies that will be filled in the November election.

In Eunice:

• Four city councilors elected at-large (four-year terms).
• Three Eunice Municipal Schools board members elected at-large (four-year terms).
• Three Eunice Hospital District trustees elected at-large (four-year terms).

In Hobbs:

• Three Hobbs Municipal Schools board members representing Districts 2, 3 and 4 (four-year terms).

In Jal:

• Three city councilors elected at-large (four-year terms).
• One city councilor elected at-large (two-year term).
• One municipal judge elected at-large (four-year term).
• Three Jal Public Schools board members elected at-large (four-year terms).
• Three Jal Hospital District trustees elected at-large (four-year terms).

In Lovington:

• Three Lovington Municipal Schools board members elected at-large (four year terms).

In Tatum:

• Two city councilors elected at-large (four-year terms).
• One city councilor elected at-large (two-year term).
• Three Tatum Municipal Schools board members elected at-large (four-year terms).

Also Appearing on Some Ballots:

• Two Nor-Lea Hospital District trustees for Districts 1 and 2 (four-year terms).
• One New Mexico Junior College board member for District 4 (six-year term).
• Three Lea Soil & Water Conservation District board supervisors elected at-large (four-year terms).

Ballot Questions Already Proposed – Specific Wording Deadline August 29

• Lovington Municipal Schools – 2-mill tax levy.
• Nor-Lea Hospital District – 2.5-mill tax levy.
• Tatum School District – General Obligation Bond for $4.5 million and a 2-mill tax levy ($2.00 tax on every $1,000 of taxable property value).