Latest news with #KatharineClark
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Saying 'I do' in New Mexico will now cost twice as much as marriage license fee increases
Formalizing a marriage these days is often not the difficult part; walk in and the paperwork is there waiting for you. But in New Mexico, it's about to become more than twice as expensive. For the first time in decades, the cost of a marriage license in New Mexico will increase, jumping from $25 to $55, effective June 20, following the passage of bipartisan legislation during the 2025 legislative session updating the fee structure. While the price is more than doubling, New Mexico's fee remains lower than in Texas or Arizona, where the cost can exceed $80. Some states charge as much as $115. According to a news release from the Santa Fe County Clerk's Office, the fee change supports long-term recordkeeping, child welfare programs and local services across the state. Santa Fe County is one of New Mexico's most popular wedding destinations. 'Most people only think about their marriage license once — on their wedding day,' Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark said in a statement. 'But it's a legal document that can be needed decades later to access benefits, prove identity or navigate end-of-life paperwork. We want to ensure your record will be securely stored, easy to find, and legally valid when you need it." Senate Bill 290, signed by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this year, was sponsored by Sen. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe. It increases marriage license fees and changes how they are distributed. The changes will result in increased funds for counties, according to a Legislative Finance Committee fiscal impact report for the bill. With the updated fee, the fund is expected to gain an estimated $32,500 annually to expand prevention programs and family support services statewide. Beginning June 20, according to the County Clerk's Office, the $55 marriage license fee will be distributed as follows: * $20 to county clerk's offices * $20 to the Children's Trust Fund, which supports community-based programs to prevent child abuse and neglect * $15 to the county general fund The Children's Trust Fund, administered by the Children, Youth and Families Department, previously relied mostly on specialty license plate revenue, the release from the clerk's office said. The higher fees could give pennywise couples an excuse to hold off on the nuptials; however, the Legislative Finance Committee analysis noted even with New Mexico's comparatively low license fees, the state's marriage rate has been skidding for the last decade. "In 2022, New Mexico had the lowest marriage rate in the country at 4.2 per 1,000 people," the report said. "Nevada, Utah, and Colorado were among the highest at 25.9, 9.9, and 7.5 per 1,000, respectively."
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark enters NM secretary of state race
May 30—SANTA FE — The open race to pick New Mexico's next top elections official will feature a Democratic primary showdown involving at least two county clerks. Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark recently announced her campaign for secretary of state, ending weeks of speculation. She joins Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin, who became the first candidate in the race when she announced her candidacy last month. In announcing her campaign, Clark cited her trip to Washington, D.C., earlier this year to advocate for the restoration of election security programs as part of the National Association of Counties Board of Directors. She said in a Friday interview she would push to expand voter education programs in high schools if successful in next year's election cycle, while also vowing to continue the work of outgoing Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. "We want to make sure elections are protected," Clark told the Journal. Clark was first elected as Santa Fe County clerk in November 2020, and then won reelection to a second four-year term in 2024. Before that, she worked on political campaigns, including as a campaign manager, an experience she said gave her unique perspective about how elections are run. "The election administration should never be the reason a candidate wins or loses," Clark said. "Voters should decide whether a candidate wins or loses." She recently launched a TV ad campaign — in her role as county clerk — touting the ease of "pajama voting" for New Mexicans who request permanent absentee voter status. But she said the TV ads were launched before she announced her campaign, and not intended as a way to boost her political profile. Clark also said she believes she's the "best candidate" in the race, citing Santa Fe County's high voter turnout rate in recent election cycles, including a turnout of 75.1% of registered voters in last year's general election. Next year's secretary of state race will not feature an incumbent, as Toulouse Oliver is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term in office. Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, has served as secretary of state for eight-plus years. She was first elected to the office in 2016, following former Secretary of State Dianna Duran's resignation after being charged with using campaign funds to fuel a gambling habit. All New Mexico statewide offices will be on the ballot next year, including governor, attorney general and secretary of state. A Democrat has held the Secretary of State's Office for all but a few years in modern New Mexico history. When she won election in 2016, Duran became the first Republican elected to the office since 1929. After she resigned, fellow Republican Brad Winter served as secretary of state for one year after being appointed to the post by then-Gov. Susana Martinez.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark enters NM secretary of state race
May 30—SANTA FE — The open race to pick New Mexico's next top elections official will feature a Democratic primary showdown involving at least two county clerks. Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark recently announced her campaign for secretary of state, ending weeks of speculation. She joins Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin, who became the first candidate in the race when she announced her candidacy last month. In announcing her campaign, Clark cited her trip to Washington, D.C., earlier this year to advocate for the restoration of election security programs as part of the National Association of Counties Board of Directors. She said in a Friday interview she would push to expand voter education programs in high schools if successful in next year's election cycle, while also vowing to continue the work of outgoing Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. "We want to make sure elections are protected," Clark told the Journal. Clark was first elected as Santa Fe County clerk in November 2020, and then won reelection to a second four-year term in 2024. Before that, she worked on political campaigns, including as a campaign manager, an experience she said gave her unique perspective about how elections are run. "The election administration should never be the reason a candidate wins or loses," Clark said. "Voters should decide whether a candidate wins or loses." She recently launched a TV ad campaign — in her role as county clerk — touting the ease of "pajama voting" for New Mexicans who request permanent absentee voter status. But she said the TV ads were launched before she announced her campaign, and not intended as a way to boost her political profile. Clark also said she believes she's the "best candidate" in the race, citing Santa Fe County's high voter turnout rate in recent election cycles, including a turnout of 75.1% of registered voters in last year's general election. Next year's secretary of state race will not feature an incumbent, as Toulouse Oliver is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term in office. Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, has served as secretary of state for eight-plus years. She was first elected to the office in 2016, following former Secretary of State Dianna Duran's resignation after being charged with using campaign funds to fuel a gambling habit. All New Mexico statewide offices will be on the ballot next year, including governor, attorney general and secretary of state. A Democrat has held the Secretary of State's Office for all but a few years in modern New Mexico history. When she won election in 2016, Duran became the first Republican elected to the office since 1929. After she resigned, fellow Republican Brad Winter served as secretary of state for one year after being appointed to the post by then-Gov. Susana Martinez.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Santa Fe County clerk discusses her bid to be New Mexico's next secretary of state
Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark, a Democrat, is one of two candidates who has announced a campaign for New Mexico Secretary of State. (Courtesy of Katharine Clark) Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark recently announced her 2026 campaign to lead New Mexico's highest election office. The New Mexico Secretary of State oversees elections, enforces ethics rules, keeps the official records for state government and lies third in succession, behind the lieutenant governor and governor. Current Democratic Secretary of State Maggie Tolouse Oliver cannot run for the seat again, having served two consecutive terms. So far, Clark faces Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin in the June 2, 2026 Democratic primary. Currently, no Republicans have announced a run for the seat. Voters reelected Clark, a Democrat, for her second term in the Santa Fe County Clerk's office in November 2024. She says will remain in her current position and limit campaigning to weekends and evenings. In a call with Source NM, Clark cited the Trump Administration's cuts to federal cybersecurity election protections in her decision to run. She has served on the national committee for election security called Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center since December 2024. 'I am uniquely positioned to make sure we are able to get by and that we have national policy protecting our elections' cybersecurity,' Clark said. 'We really need a secretary of state who's going to make sure we have those protections in place and have the relationships and strategic mindset and proactiveness to get it done.' Trump signs broad elections order requiring proof of citizenship A generally positive report earlier this month from independent, nonpartisan election observers on New Mexico's 2024 general election said requests for for same-day registration overwhelmed the system, and cited one Santa Fe County location where same-day voter registration stopped for 90 minutes. Clark noted that same-day registration delays were statewide and said the county clerk's office worked to restore access and offered provisional ballots, which voters use as a failsafe when their registration status can't be determined. 'We did explain to voters 'here's your options,' and some opted to wait, but others wanted provisional ballots and did those,' she said. The report also notes one location in Santa Fe County, where Observe New Mexico's 'watcher reported that the presiding judge tried to provide provisional ballots to voters experiencing long lines to same-day-register but concluded that the location had not been provided with any means of producing a provisional ballot.' Clark told Source NM those specific provisional ballot findings in the report 'were in dispute,' and attributed the problems at that site to a new presiding judge who did not know all the options for issuing provisional ballots, which she said was rectified by the office later that day. 'The presiding judge, I think, thought it had to be the envelope way and was not utilizing the ballot-on-demand system — something we did explain to them,' she said. Clark said she would bring a mindset of 'radical transparency' to the office and would continue work to innovate elections, pointing to efforts at Santa Fe County to educate people and candidates on the elections process. 'Not only do we want someone who is pro-voter, but I'm making sure I'm strategic and meeting the moment and ensuring that I'm being proactive to prevent misinformation from the beginning,' she said. According to campaign finance documents, Clark entered the race with $14,215.50 on hand, which was transferred from her campaign for Santa Fe county clerk. Clark is listed as 'non compliant' in the Secretary of State's campaign finance system. Clark shared emails with Source NM dating back to May 6, in which secretary of state staff say the issue is 'taken care of,' and noting that Clark is compliant in the system. 'They keep charging me $50 per day, even though my report is compliant,' Clark said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark announces bid for secretary of state
Fresh off winning a second term in an uncontested race, Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark is setting her sights on a more high-profile post: New Mexico secretary of state. Clark declared her candidacy this week, making her the second Democrat to announce plans to run for a post that is second in the line of succession to the governor, after the lieutenant governor. Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin announced her candidacy last month. Like López Askin, Clark said she plans to stay on as county clerk as she campaigns to be New Mexico's top election officer. They are vying to succeed Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who is in her second and final term. So far, no Republicans have publicly announced they are entering the race. Clark, who said she is motived to run for the office to help protect voting rights in the face of election security funding cuts and other nthreats from the Trump administration, called herself the best candidate for the job and touted her accomplishments in the Santa Fe County Clerk's Office, national awards and "robust policy background." "I have completely overhauled this office, modernized it and won national recognition for all of my innovation," Clark, 43, said in a telephone interview Thursday, adding she has "loved being an election official at the county level." "But given the fact that there are voting rights being rolled back all over the country," she said, "I want to make sure that the strongest, most qualified candidate is holding this position." Clark, who holds dual bachelor's degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, in cognitive neuroscience and moral psychology, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico, said she has had "several cycles of fairly flawless elections." "We have proven a very pro-voter attitude, which is we have a lot of innovations we would like to take statewide," she said. "We have the highest turnout of large counties in the state, which means that that's a very essential metric for how well you are building trust and interest in your electorate." Clark said the County Clerk's Office has won several national awards during her tenure. "I believe that I am the person because I have national connections, as well as a very robust policy background, that can do the best job of protecting the vote and making sure that everyone in New Mexico knows that their vote will count, and they can trust their elections," she said. While Clark submitted candidate committee registration paperwork to the Secretary of State's Office earlier this month and granted at least one news media interview about her intention run to become New Mexico's top election official, she made it Facebook official Wednesday. The news was shared later that evening at a Drag Bingo fundraiser for the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance, where Clark is a member of the board. "If she is elected, and she will be, she will be the first [out] queer person in a major position in New Mexico government," Kevin Bowen, the organization's executive director, said to loud cheers and applause. Clark, who identifies as being "bisexual, pansexual," said being queer isn't necessarily a major part of her platform. "It's just who I am ... just like being a millennial," she said. Clark asked people in the crowd how many are registered to vote. "At this time, we have an administration in Washington that is trying to erase us," she said, referring to the administration of President Donald Trump — whose push to purge diversity, equity and inclusion content includes Department of Defense references to the Enola Gay aircraft that dropped an atomic bomb on Japan during World War II, and other files, simply because they contained the word "gay." Clark also pointed to a sweeping executive from Trump that would, among other provisions, require would-be voters to show a passport or similar document proving citizenship when registering to vote. "This is an administration that is determined to make sure that your voice cannot be heard," she said. "Can I get a commitment from all of you that you're going to make sure that you vote in every election?" In an interview, Clark said she serves on the executive committee of the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which provides strategic guidance to support the cybersecurity needs of election offices throughout the nation. "Our funding was cut [entirely] on Valentine's Day, and so what we're seeing is that elections are in danger under this administration," she said. "That was highly motivating to run for office to ensure that we're protecting the voters here in New Mexico."
