Recent news that Secretary of State Dianna Duran forwarded approximately 64,000 voters’ records to the State Police for investigation spurred letters to the editor by Bryan Watkins, executive director of the Republican Party of New Mexico, and Lisa Chavez, the newest chairperson of the Democratic Party of Valencia County.
While Watkins’ op-ed had some critical comments about the Democratic Party, he basically addressed the facts. Chavez’ op-ed was an inflammatory attack on the Republican Party and I was offended. Most Republicans are sick and tired of others implying that we are racist and uncaring – particularly when we know we are not. Those types of comments are divisive and should have no place in politics.
Ms. Chavez’s inflammatory letter accused Republicans of many unfounded things, but she spent most of her time attacking Republicans for using the state police and election law to intimidate and leveling charges that Republicans want to disenfranchise many groups of voters.
If I believed any of her comments represented the Republican Party, I would change parties. That is simply not my experience.
Providing confidence that elections are fair
First, I don’t feel intimidated. They probably aren’t investigating me, but if they were, I am an American citizen, living in Valencia County, I know I have the right to vote, and I have never voted more than once in any election. I am not afraid. I don’t understand how anyone else in the same situation would feel intimidated or that their vote is being suppressed. I simply don’t follow the logic.
I ask Ms. Chavez, what should the secretary of state to do? If they are Democrats and nothing is found, some will shout about a cover-up. A Republican, like Secretary Duran, will be accused of a witch-hunt if nothing is found. If something is found, they will inevitably say the evidence was manufactured.
Indeed, what should the secretary of state do? Her job is to ensure fair elections, and I would suggest it is also to provide confidence to New Mexicans that they are fair.
Not an attempt to disenfranchise
I am an accountant. Most companies prepare financial information and have it audited to obtain financing. If auditors find discrepancies, they expand the scope of the audit. Without expanding the scope, they risk overlooking costly errors or fraud.
I view Secretary Duran’s decision to pass the ball to the state police as simply having an impartial third party audit/investigation of a situation. Certainly it doesn’t indicate that Secretary Duran has a desire to disenfranchise Hispanics… or any other group.
The voter ID legislation, HB 308, that Secretary Duran supported, included language that would allow the indigent to be provided a state ID card. This shows Republicans don’t want to diminish anyone’s right to vote. There were some areas that needed clarification, but if legislators stop engaging in rhetoric and work together to fix the bill, they can develop a bill the vast majority of New Mexicans will enthusiastically support.
Then both Democrats and Republicans can simply join together and vote in the interests of all their constituents.
Lorell Campbell has been involved with the Republican Party since 2004, when she ran for Valencia County treasurer.