How we're working with others to get out the vote
Congratulations, Mayor Undecided.
We're behind you. Well, at least 58% of us are behind you.
So goes the state of the 2025 local election.
Council positions are on the ballot, but the flow of candidate announcements has been more of a trickle than a gush. The mayor's race is different. At least seven candidates are running for mayor, with others interested in this political dream of running the city — along with being criticized daily for doing so.
An early poll — emphasis on the words 'early' and 'poll' — offers scientific proof that there is no science behind why so many mayoral candidates want a job that so few voters think they deserve.
According to this poll, the leading choice is no choice — because 58% of the respondents said Undecided is their pick for mayor.
Factor in Ranked Choice Voting — where voters must brush up on calculus AND become a Vegas (Nevada, mind you) expert on gaming theory — and it's unknown if the 'undervote,' 'overvote,' 'skipped ranking,' 'unused ranking,' 'duplicate ranking' and 'next ranked' will keep Undecided from a clear voter mandate. No wonder 'exhausted ballot' is another term you'll find in the city's Election Code. (If you have trouble sleeping, start with Chapter 9-1.7.)
Add math to the mad that many voters feel — of citywide issues that seem to be on a constant repeat cycle — and this has the makings of a local election that feels like you're caught in traffic on North Guadalupe Street watching a dumpster fire involved in a train wreck.
Jay Baker for mayor, anyone?
In a real effort to nab a fake person, the city already has spent taxpayer dollars trying to find the fictional-ish Jay Baker. That's led to another city-induced lawsuit that future Mayor Undecided will need to deal with in another episode of As The City Different Turns.
Let's put the snark and silliness aside. It's evident Santa Fe residents are concerned and curious about what November will bring with candidates and Ranked Choice Voting, especially in a mayoral field with many unknowns.
This is one of many reasons why The Santa Fe New Mexican, KSFR Santa Fe Public Radio, KSWV Que Suave Radio and Santa Fe Community College are partnering extensively to educate voters about the 2025 local election.
Any of us could have gone this alone. Instead, we've agreed to educate and empower voters on the issues, the candidates and Ranked Choice Voting. The election-content partnership — made available free for all — came together quickly because it fit all of our missions.
This is a good group of locally owned and independent media outlets. Santa Fe Community College — which will host two forums — and KSFR are well-regarded public institutions with community service embedded in their combined résumé. KSWV brings a loyal audience and strong local ownership to this creative effort to reach voters across media delivery platforms.
'This great collaboration will ensure that our community members gain valuable insights into the election process and the individuals who may lead our city in the future,' Estevan Gonzales, owner of KSWV Que Suave Radio, said in the recent news release about the partnership. 'Trusted local coverage is journalism at its best.'
Candidates and voters should save these dates for public forums in the Jemez Room at Santa Fe Community College's main campus:
* 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3: City Council Candidate Forum
* 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17: Mayoral Candidate Forum
Look for announcements in the coming months, including how to watch the forums via livestream or on demand.
Undecided could be a good starting point to revitalize trust and transparency in Santa Fe city government.
Follow the coverage across KSFR, KSWV and The New Mexican. Join us for the September public forums at Santa Fe Community College. Ask questions, learn about issues and the candidates.
And vote.
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