Strong turnout — 19.4 percent, so far — in GO bonds election

LAS CRUCES - Advocates for vote-by-mail elections say that mail voting can result in greater voter participation, particularly in small, local elections. Las Cruces’ first election in which state law required ballots to be distributed by mail, and can be returned the same way, has proven that to be true.

Las Cruces voters have until Aug. 21 to vote on four general obligation bond proposals totaling $35.6 million — to fund a new animal shelter, fire station, as well park and trails improvements — plus six amendments to the city charter.

More:Las Cruces voters to decide on four GO bond issues in mail-in ballot

New Mexico earlier this year enacted a law requiring that all special elections, those conducted at times other than when regular local elections are held, be conducted by mailed ballot. That law doesn’t require completed ballots to be returned by mail. Las Cruces voters can return completed ballots by mail or in person.

As of Wednesday night, the Doña County Clerk had received 11,633 ballots, which represents 19.4 percent of all ballots that were mailed. Historically, 5 to 10 percent of registered voters have voted in local elections in the county.

Ballots must be received by the County Clerk no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21. Because of the unpredictability of mail delivery, county officials recommend that voters who have not already returned their ballots to do so in person at the Dona Aña County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd.

More:GO bonds election is New Mexico's first mandated mail ballot

The Las Cruces election is the first in New Mexico history in which state law requires that all ballots are distributed by mail.

Vote-by-mail elections have grown in popularity nationally. At least 22 states have provisions that allow some types of elections to be conducted entirely by mail. Four states, all in the West, hold all elections by mail. Oregon was the first state to mandate mailed ballots and has conducted all its elections by mail since 2000. Washington, Colorado, and California do as well.

Blake Gumprecht may be reached at 575-541-5453, bgumprecht@lcsun-news.com or @blakegumprecht on Twitter.