All 33 polling locations stayed open in San Juan County as voters cast ballots despite flooding across the county.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. – All 33 polling locations stayed open in San Juan County as voters cast ballots despite flooding across the county.
On Election Day, voters in San Juan County said they still wanted to take part even as families continued dealing with flooding and damage.
“It’s important to be out here. Make your voice heard, especially for the younger people,” San Juan County resident Thomas Moore said.
Some voters said they have seen flooding affect people around them, but they had not seen it keep people from the polls.
“I do actually have some coworkers that were affected by it, but I don’t know of anyone that’s not here voting because of it,” San Juan County resident Ricardo Castanon said.
San Juan County Clerk Alyssa Kuhn said in a statement that it is hard to predict whether flooding will affect turnout, especially for families dealing with damaged homes or displacement.
“We recognize that many of our residents are facing significant challenges right now, and for those who have experienced flooding, property damage or displacement, their immediate priorities have shifted and may not include voting,” Kuhn said in the statement. “We hope that those who are able to safely participate in the election will do so.”
Kuhn said flooding had not disrupted polling locations or the voting process in San Juan County.
“But if you’re able to go out and vote, I think you should,” Moore said.
