Maggie Toulouse Oliver

SOS stumbles through podcast—trashes voter ID while hinting at political future

23 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In yet another display of arrogance and dishonesty, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver took to the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Around the Roundhouse podcast with reporter Daniel Chacón this week to once again incoherently peddle her far-left talking points—doubling down on her tired claim that New Mexico’s elections are “secure” and launching another baseless attack on commonsense voter ID laws, while struggling to formulate coherent answers, filling in inarticulate responses with “um,” “you know,” and so many other filler words to string together what barely passed as adequate replies.

Toulouse Oliver, who’s held office since 2016 thanks to a cushy political machine, wasted no time patting herself on the back for what she called New Mexico’s “number one” election integrity ranking, a laughable assertion given the state’s lax election security and refusal to adopt meaningful safeguards. While conservative states across the country have enacted voter ID laws to prevent fraud and bolster public trust, Toulouse Oliver continued to insist, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, that voter ID requirements are unnecessary.

“If you show me a problem, I will help advocate for the solution,” she declared, dismissing the very real concerns of voters who have repeatedly pointed to gaps in election security. Toulouse Oliver had the audacity to claim that voter impersonation is “extremely rare” and that enforcing ID laws is a “huge barrier” that risks disenfranchising voters. Her favorite excuse? That people might “forget” their ID, or that a poor record-keeping clerk might make a typo—arguments so flimsy they wouldn’t pass muster in a freshman debate class.

Her hostility toward voter ID and other election integrity measures is nothing new. During the podcast, she boasted about New Mexico joining lawsuits against the Trump administration for pushing election security reforms, calling the president’s efforts an “overreach” and whining about supposed “unfunded mandates.” Never mind that these are basic protections to ensure only eligible voters cast ballots—something any reasonable American would support.

Not surprisingly, Toulouse Oliver painted herself as a long-suffering public servant battling “misinformation” and “conspiracy theories,” conveniently ignoring that mistrust in elections has skyrocketed under her watch. Her solution? More tech upgrades and expanding vote-by-mail, despite glaring vulnerabilities exposed nationwide.

The Secretary also couldn’t resist hinting at her political ambitions. While playing coy about her next move, she floated finishing her PhD or potentially running for another office after her current term ends, the mark of her continued penchant to cling to power. She told Chacón, “Um, but you know, I’m still waiting to see, kind of, what the universe has … to offer up, and and um, I’ll just say never say never to running for future office. But, you know, I’m at the point where, you know, it will be 20 years in public service. And that — that’s a long career in public service.” She previously unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate against then-U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, who ended up being elected U.S. senator. 

Even more concerning is Toulouse Oliver’s push for automatic voter registration—another way to inflate the rolls and weaken safeguards. Starting this summer, every New Mexican visiting the Motor Vehicle Division will be automatically registered to vote unless they actively opt out, further eroding the integrity of the process. She also advocated for voters who refuse to select a party affiliation, meddling in Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian Party primaries. 

As New Mexico stares down crucial upcoming elections, Toulouse Oliver’s podcast appearance was a reminder of what happens when radical Democrats are allowed to run elections unchecked: endless excuses, no accountability, and policies that put partisan gain above secure, fair elections. Voters should be more vigilant than ever.

With Toulouse Oliver’s track record of opposing voter ID, expanding ballot access without adequate safeguards, and cozying up to left-wing activist groups, New Mexicans have every reason to be alarmed—and to demand better.

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SOS Toulouse Oliver freaks out as U.S. House passes key election integrity bill

40 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The U.S. House of Representatives made a decisive move this week to protect the integrity of American elections by passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill that ensures only U.S. citizens are allowed to register and vote in federal elections. Despite bipartisan support for the common-sense measure, all three of New Mexico’s Democrat representatives—Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez—voted against the bill, aligning themselves with far-left opposition rather than standing up for election integrity.

The SAVE Act mandates that individuals provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections—an overwhelming majority of Americans believe this requirement already exists. Shockingly, in many states, including New Mexico, voter registration processes do not require verified documentation of citizenship, leaving gaping holes in the system that could be exploited.

Yet, instead of praising this step toward greater public confidence in elections, prominent New Mexico Democrats erupted in outrage.

“Rest assured, I am a definite NO on the SAVE Act,” wrote U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, telegraphing his opposition before the Senate even considers the bill.

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver issued a lengthy statement criticizing the legislation, calling it a threat to voter accessibility. “This legislation would impose stringent proof-of-citizenship requirements that threaten to disenfranchise many eligible voters in our state,” she said, suggesting erroneously that the bill would harm Native Americans, rural voters, and women who’ve changed their names after marriage.

Oliver also made the dubious claim that noncitizen voting is “exceedingly rare,” calling the bill “a solution in search of a problem.” However, recent polling and investigations have shown growing concerns among Americans over the possibility of voter fraud, particularly in states with lax voter registration requirements. The SAVE Act directly addresses those concerns by closing loopholes and reinforcing the principle that U.S. elections should be decided by U.S. citizens—nothing more, nothing less.

Most notably, freshman Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who faces a tough reelection battle in a battleground district, is now on record opposing a bill to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections. This position may prove politically toxic as Vasquez’s Republican challenger is certain to hammer him for putting partisan politics over secure elections.

While Democrats like Heinrich, Oliver, and Vasquez paint the bill as draconian, many Americans view the SAVE Act as a much-needed, commonsense safeguard. It’s no wonder the bill passed with bipartisan support. In an era where trust in elections has waned, requiring proof of citizenship to vote is a rational and fair way to help restore faith in the system.

New Mexico voters, especially those in competitive districts, may want to ask themselves: Why are their elected officials so afraid of proving citizenship at the ballot box?

With the SAVE Act now headed to the U.S. Senate, the spotlight turns to Sens. Heinrich and Luján. Will they continue to side with fringe voices, or will they stand up for the sanctity of American elections?

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Toulouse Oliver and Torrez’s meddling could hike your grocery bill — Here’s how

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The high-profile merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons hit significant roadblocks on Tuesday, with rulings from judges in two states halting the $24.6 billion deal. Critics are now pointing fingers at New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, and other leftist officials, accusing both of overstepping their authority and jeopardizing a merger that could have provided much-needed relief to strained grocery prices and improved competition in the retail sector.

U.S. District Court Judge Adrienne Nelson issued a preliminary injunction against the merger following a three-week hearing in Portland, Oregon. Later, on the same day, Judge Marshall Ferguson in Seattle handed down a permanent injunction, concluding that the merger would reduce competition in Washington and violate state consumer protection laws.

Kroger and Albertsons have expressed disappointment with the rulings and are evaluating their next steps, which could include appeals. The companies argue that the merger is essential to better compete with retail behemoths like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon. Without it, store closures, layoffs, and potential market exits may be unavoidable. “This merger would enhance competition, not reduce it, by giving us the scale to lower prices and improve service,” Kroger and Albertsons stated in response to the rulings.

Toulouse Oliver’s Role in the Merger Opposition

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s involvement in the opposition to the merger has drawn sharp criticism from industry leaders and consumer advocates alike. Her decision to join a coalition of attorneys general from Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico (Torrez), Oregon, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia in supporting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) effort to block the merger is being labeled as unnecessary interference in private enterprise.

In a letter signed by Toulouse Oliver and other officials, they claimed, “The proposed merger poses a significant threat to competition and could lead to higher prices, fewer choices, and diminished service for consumers in our states. We urge the FTC to take swift action to protect the public interest.” However, opponents argue that Toulouse Oliver’s support of the letter is a politically driven attempt to bolster her regulatory influence at the expense of consumers and the broader grocery market.

Impact on Grocery Prices and Consumer Choice

According to Kroger and Albertsons, Toulouse Oliver’s actions, along with those of other state officials, risk worsening an already precarious grocery market. They argue that blocking the merger denies consumers access to the benefits of increased competition against larger players like Walmart and Amazon. “This merger is essential to maintaining competitive pressure on the largest players in the retail grocery space,” the companies stated. They further emphasized that the combined resources would allow for $1 billion in price reductions and $1 billion in higher wages for grocery workers.

Industry leaders warn that Toulouse Oliver’s interference will only drive prices higher. “Preventing this merger leaves smaller grocers unable to compete with retail giants, and it’s consumers who will bear the cost,” one industry expert noted. Kroger and Albertsons have pledged significant price cuts and investments in employee wages, but these benefits are now in jeopardy due to the regulatory roadblocks led by Toulouse Oliver and her allies.

Legal and Market Implications

The FTC’s lawsuit to block the merger received support from multiple states and labor unions, with arguments centered on reduced competition, higher prices, and potential harm to workers. However, Kroger and Albertsons contend that these claims are flawed and counterproductive. They pledged to sell 579 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers to avoid anti-competitive overlap. But Judge Ferguson dismissed this solution, stating, “Wholesaler C&S, with its limited retail experience and infrastructure, will not be able to replicate the ferocity of that competition or compete effectively in Washington against the colossus that is a merged Kroger and Albertsons.”

An Albertsons grocery store in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Tony Webster via Wiki Commons.

Despite this, supporters of the merger argue that divesting stores to smaller retailers like C&S creates a more diverse market, which is exactly what antitrust laws are supposed to encourage. The injunctions represent significant setbacks for Kroger and Albertsons, as further litigation could take months or years. Meanwhile, critics argue that Toulouse Oliver’s overreach is actively working against consumer interests.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s opposition to the Kroger-Albertsons merger has drawn widespread criticism for being an unnecessary act of meddling that could leave consumers facing higher grocery prices and fewer options. Kroger and Albertsons argue that the merger is essential for competing against retail giants like Walmart and Amazon. 

With the future of the merger hanging in the balance, consumers and industry leaders alike are calling for regulatory restraint and urging officials like Toulouse Oliver to reconsider the broader economic impact of their decisions.

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SOS Toulouse Oliver’s fake ‘harassment’ hoax crumbles after GOP rep. fights back

25 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a stunning reversal, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver has admitted she will not pursue criminal charges for alleged online harassment she previously attributed to state Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), Piñon Post’s editor. This comes after weeks of public accusations linking Block to threats against her, which Toulouse Oliver claimed were spurred by his criticism of her opposition to voter ID laws.

In an email to media, Toulouse Oliver’s spokesperson Alex Curtas stated, “We have not filed a report on this matter and are unlikely to as the most incendiary of the online messages were deleted before we could compile them for review and potential referral.” The sudden change in course has left critics questioning the credibility of her claims.

Rep. Block responded to the development with strong words: “Wow, after slandering my name for weeks, now SOS Maggie admits it’s all a hoax and supposed fake ‘harassment’ comments she used to attack me and others were conveniently ‘deleted.’ No, it’s because she was put in a corner after I threatened legal action. Shame on her!” he posted on social media.

The controversy began after X users and Block publicly challenged Toulouse Oliver on her resistance to implementing voter ID laws in New Mexico. The secretary laughed at constituents and clapped back at them via social media for asking basic questions.

During a legislative committee meeting, Toulouse Oliver alleged that Block had “egged on” a toxic online environment, indirectly contributing to threats against her. She singled out Block and his platform, the Piñon Post, labeling them as purveyors of “false and misleading information.”

“If she thinks that asking questions about why she doesn’t support voter ID is a threat, then she’s got the thinnest skin I’ve ever seen in my life,” Block previously told local media.

Tensions escalated when Toulouse Oliver announced plans to file a police report under a 2023 law criminalizing threats against election officials. Yet, with no evidence forthcoming, her office backtracked, claiming key posts had been deleted before documentation.

This incident has amplified the ongoing debate over voter ID laws in New Mexico. Polls consistently show widespread support for voter ID, with Gallup reporting that 84% of Americans favor such measures. Block and his supporters argue that Toulouse Oliver’s opposition undermines election security, while she maintains that voter ID could lead to voter suppression.

“This isn’t about harassment; it’s about silencing dissent,” Block said. “She’s weaponizing baseless accusations to deflect from real questions about election integrity.”

As the dust settles, many New Mexicans are left questioning Toulouse Oliver’s false allegations and the broader implications for free speech and accountability in public office.

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NM SOS accuses Piñon Post editor of threats for asking about voter ID

45 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a strange turn of events, far-left Democrat New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver accused state Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), the editor and founder of the Piñon Post, of making threats and harassing her via X, formerly Twitter, cooking up a conspiracy after he asked her about implementing voter ID in the state. She later declared she was going dark on the platform following backlash after she laughed at constituents about voter ID, changing her account “@NMSOSMaggie” to private, although the use of her title makes the page public — a violation of law, according to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Toulouse Oliver’s departure from the platform came shortly after the general election, during which she sought to share insights into election results and processes. However, she claimed that some of the backlash, including alleged threats and harassment, originated from Block, who did not make such threats.

During a legislative committee meeting, Toulouse Oliver accused unnamed members of the committee of contributing to the toxic environment online. Later, her office singled out Rep. Block, labeling him and Piñon Post a “frequent purveyor of false and misleading information” about elections. Block has been vocal in his push for voter ID laws in New Mexico and has criticized Toulouse Oliver’s stance against such measures.

“I wouldn’t say that he was like, the ring leader, but he was certainly getting in on the pile-on and, I think, helping to foment the anger and some of the nasty comments,” she said to one outlet.

In response, Block told the Santa Fe New Mexican, “If she thinks that asking questions about why she doesn’t support voter ID is a threat, then she’s got the thinnest skin I’ve ever seen in my life,” emphasizing that political debate should not be conflated with harassment. He further argued that Toulouse Oliver’s characterization of criticism as harassment reflects an attempt to silence dissent and control the narrative around New Mexico’s elections.

Toulouse Oliver, who has historically opposed voter ID measures, reiterated her belief that such laws are unnecessary. “That is a solution in search of a problem,” she said during the committee meeting, dismissing Block’s proposals as lacking evidence of widespread voter fraud.

The tension escalated after Toulouse Oliver shared that she would file a report with law enforcement regarding the threats she faced, which she said were “egged on” by Block’s rhetoric. Block countered by highlighting the lack of evidence directly tying him to any threatening behavior and called her allegations politically motivated. “The secretary of state is probably the biggest purveyor of propaganda, fake news, lies, and clearly orchestrated headlines to get attention,” he charged, framing her accusations as a tactic to deflect from genuine questions about election security.

Block’s criticism of Toulouse Oliver’s opposition to voter ID laws has resonated with many New Mexicans, particularly given polling that shows broad support for such measures, with Gallup finding 84% of Americans support the commonsense measure that upholds election security. 

While Toulouse Oliver maintains that her resistance stems from concerns about voter suppression, Block and his supporters see it as dismissing legitimate concerns about election integrity.

This clash highlights a broader debate on voter security in New Mexico. For Block, questioning election policies and advocating for voter ID is about protecting democracy. 

For Toulouse Oliver, such benign questions represent a dangerous incitement that threatens election officials, and it appears she is not open to the will of the people of New Mexico.

NM Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver laughs at constituents who want voter ID

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NM Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver laughs at constituents who want voter ID

36 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Thursday, far-left Democrat New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver scoffed at voters asking why New Mexico does not have voter ID requirements.

The X account, “Mrs. Gen X,” who shared Elon Musk’s post about “[t]he few states that didn’t go red are mostly ones without voter ID requirements. Must be a coincidence,” quoted the post and tagged Oliver, writing, “#NewMexico needs voter ID!”

Oliver replied, “Correlation does not equal causation.”

In response to Mrs. Gen X’s post, the account “TDog73” wrote, “There’s a reason why she never posts on here anymore. She knows and she’s scares s—less,” to which Mrs. Gen X replied, “As she should be! Does she think coming back at me did her favor?! FAFO. Fired up & ready to make #NewMexico voting legit.” 

To that, Toulouse Oliver responded with a laughing/crying emoji,” a grave sign of disrespect to New Mexico voters.

Previously, Toulouse Oliver opposed voter ID bills sponsored by state Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), labeling the voter security measure as a way to suppress the votes of senior citizens and other groups. 

Block wrote, When I sponsored voter ID (HB110 in 2023 and HB223 in 2024), SOS Oliver claimed Voter ID is ‘voter suppression.’ She defies the 84% of Americans who support Voter ID. Wonder why???? If she believes in “democracy,” then why doesn’t she listen to what the people want?” 

As Block referenced, 84 percent of Americans support requiring “all voters to provide photo identification at their voting place in order to vote,” and 83 percent support requiring “people who are registering to vote for the first time to provide proof of citizenship,” according to a Gallup survey.

“Remind her that when she was [Bernalillo County Clerk], she advocated for [ID] to vote in mrgcd elections.  I was Chair, Dede Feldmans resolution creating [a] task force.   I still have everything. She was a piece of work,” wrote the account “NoFarmsNoFood” on X. 

Toulouse Oliver’s vehement opposition to requiring an ID to vote underscores the debate over securing New Mexico’s elections, especially given the high and unusual number of anomalies that have plagued the state’s elections in the last decade. 

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Judge rules NM officials, including SOS, discriminated against GOP group

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A federal judge ruled that the Democrat New Mexico election officials and prosecutors discriminated against a Republican-aligned group by denying them access to voter registration data. 

The Friday decision prevents the state from withholding voter data from the Voter Reference Foundation, a group that aims to create a free database of registered voters to allow individuals and organizations to investigate potential irregularities or fraud.

New Mexico state prosecutors intend to appeal the decision, according to Lauren Rodriguez, spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Justice.

Following the ruling, the VoteRef.com website, managed by the Voter Reference Foundation, reinstated New Mexico’s voter information to its database. The searchable database includes details such as street addresses, party affiliations, and voting participation. This has raised concerns among election officials and privacy advocates, who argue that such access could lead to voter intimidation or disenfranchisement, as people may choose to remove their registration to protect their private information.

However, U.S. District Court Judge James Browning found that New Mexico’s refusal to provide the data constituted discrimination based on viewpoint and a violation of free speech rights. He criticized the state for involving prosecutors in what should have been a straightforward public information matter.

The VoteRef.com database spans more than 32 states and the District of Columbia and is run by Gina Swoboda, chair of the Arizona Republican Party and a former organizer for Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign in Arizona.

Judge Browning had previously ruled that New Mexico officials violated the National Voter Registration Act by not sharing voter rolls, despite a state law that limits the use of such data. The VoteRef.com site maintains confidentiality on whom individuals voted for and offers protections for victims of domestic violence or stalking. Additionally, more than 100 elected or appointed officials in New Mexico, both Democrats and Republicans, have their addresses shielded under a safety program created after a series of drive-by shootings targeting lawmakers’ homes in late 2022 and early 2023.

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RFK, Jr. campaign praises Maggie Toulouse Oliver as he makes NM ballot

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign has officially secured a spot on the New Mexico ballot, as announced on Saturday. The campaign collected 11,202 signatures, significantly surpassing the state requirement of 3,561, which is half a percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse-Oliver certified Kennedy’s eligibility for the vote, as confirmed by his campaign.

“We appreciate Secretary Oliver’s efficiency in certifying the Kennedy-Shanahan ticket in New Mexico,” stated Paul Rossi, senior counsel for the Kennedy campaign. “It is refreshing for a secretary of state to avoid the partisan interference of election officials in Nevada and North Carolina.”

This follows recent challenges faced by Kennedy’s campaign in other states. In North Carolina, the Electoral College voted to exclude Kennedy and fellow independent candidate Cornel West from the ballot. Similarly, in Nevada, Kennedy’s petitions were invalidated due to the omission of his running mate’s name, prompting a lawsuit and the resubmission of revised petitions.

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Toulouse-Oliver’s office reviewed petitions from several independent candidates. Alongside Kennedy, Chase Oliver, the national Libertarian Party nominee, was also confirmed for the presidential race in New Mexico. However, petitions from Cornel West and Shiva Ayyadurai were rejected.

Kennedy, son of former New York Senator and 1968 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, is running as an independent candidate. According to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average, he is currently polling at nearly 10% nationally.

Kennedy’s campaign reports that he is now on the ballot in 10 states: California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and New Mexico. The campaign has filed signatures in 12 additional states and claims to have collected enough in five more.

45th President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in April that Kennedy is “far more LIBERAL than anyone running as a Democrat, including West and Stein,” referencing third-party candidates Cornel West and Jill Stein (Green Party). Kennedy chose a far-left attorney as his vice-presidential running mate.

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NM SOS Toulouse Oliver suffers legal blow after trying to hide election info

16 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a major legal development, a federal court has ruled that New Mexico must allow a conservative group to publish voter registration data online in a move toward transparency and election integrity. 

U.S. District Judge James Browning in Albuquerque decreed that the conservative-leaning Voter Reference Foundation LLC is legally entitled to access information from the state’s voter rolls. This marks a setback for the Secretary of State’s office, which had sought to prevent the release based on a federal election transparency law.

The Secretary of State’s office, led by far-left Democrat Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, disagreeing with Judge Browning’s decision, plans to challenge the ruling at the 10th Circuit Court and will seek to suspend the ruling’s effect during the appeal process.

The dispute centers on the foundation’s intention to post detailed voter data on its website, including names, addresses, and birth years. The foundation, led by Gina Swoboda, a former Trump campaign official and current chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party, asserts its mission is to bolster voter engagement across all states.

“The Voter Reference Foundation is dedicated to ensuring transparent, accurate and fair elections in the United States of America. The purpose of this website is to provide educational information about how our elections process works and how elections data is compiled and maintained nationwide,” the group’s website states.

Judge Browning’s ruling aligns with similar federal court decisions, reinforcing the precedence set by the National Voter Registration Act over state-level restrictions on voter data dissemination. This ruling comes amidst ongoing legal battles in other states like Pennsylvania and Maine, where attempts to safeguard voter information from online exposure have faced legal challenges.

In response to the ruling, Alex Curtas, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office, claims the court’s acknowledgment that the state’s restrictions on voter data usage do not infringe on First Amendment rights and were not applied in a retaliatory manner against the Voter Reference Foundation. 

The case, dating back to 2022, saw the foundation initially post New Mexico voter data online, which was subsequently removed following objections from state election regulators. The foundation’s legal action against the state argued that the pushback constituted unconstitutional retaliation and infringed on First Amendment rights.

The publicly accessible voter information in New Mexico does not include sensitive personal details such as Social Security numbers or precise birthdates, nor does it cover participants in the state’s Safe At Home Program for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 

However, the foundation’s use of voter data from April 2021 means that any changes to voter registration status after that date will not affect the information available on their website.

Although Toulouse Oliver previously touted a leftist MIT study, claiming New Mexico had some of the best election administration in the country, the Voter Reference Foundation ranks New Mexico’s elections at the bottom of the nation, with a “D” rating. See New Mexico’s ranking on the group’s website here.

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MIT think tank claims NM’s elections are top-notch

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to the far-left Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s “MIT Election Lab,” New Mexico is ranked first on its “Elections Performance Index.” MIT is a predominantly leftist institution, according to a survey by the school.

The state got an 88 percent, with multiple factors determining the score. Interestingly, the state’s participation in the far-left George Soros-funded Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC).

According to Influence Watch, “ERIC was established by Pew Charitable Trusts, a left-of-center nonprofit advocacy and grantmaking organization, in 2012. 990 tax data shows that one year prior in 2011, grantmaking organization Foundation to Promote Open Society (FPOS), funded by philanthropist George Soros, provided two grants to Pew Charitable Trusts totaling $725,000, ‘to support the Pew Center on the States’ voter registration modernization initiative’ and ‘expand [its] scope and scale.’”

Because New Mexico joined ERIC, its score on the MIT index went up. New Mexico is ranked 40th in its voter registration rate, with 80.35 percent registered.

Other factors include data completeness, information lookup tool availability, absentee ballot problems, and the number of registrations rejected.

In terms of absentee ballot problems, which the Election Lab notes, “[m]easures the degree to which citizens are deterred from voting because of problems with registration or absentee ballots,” New Mexico ranked 14th, with 1.46 percent.

For registrations rejected, New Mexico ranked 15th at 0.9 percent. 

As for absentee voting, the state ranked 28th for absentee ballots not returned at 10.96 percent, while a mere 0.1 percent of absentee ballots were rejected, ranking 11th in the nation. Only 0.2 percent of provisional ballots were rejected in New Mexico of the 0.8 percent cast. 

The state’s average voting wait time was 3.8 minutes, which is 21st among states. And at 46.65 percent, New Mexico scores worse than the national average for voter turnout.  

Following the news, far-left Democrat Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said in a news release, “I’m proud to have helped modernize New Mexico’s elections by finding a critical balance between voter access and election security.”

“I’m so proud of this important distinction for our state. In New Mexico, we are committed to free and fair elections and protecting democracy. I urge all eligible New Mexicans to exercise their right to #vote this election year,” chimed in far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

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