August Wrap-Up Newsletter

September 5, 2025

August Highlights from the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office

From neighborhood outreach to professional training, August was about readiness and access in Santa Fe County. We brought voter services to Feria Southside to boost participation in historically lower-turnout neighborhoods; issued a final call for entries to the K–12 Sticker Design Contest; continued candidate trainings to support accurate voter education; strengthened our operations at the Secretary of State’s Election School; and celebrated Clerk Katharine E. Clark’s national CERA certification. Read on for how to get involved, key dates and deadlines, and where to find election information at SantaFe.vote.

What's New at the Clerk's Office?

Feria Southside: Services brought to the neighborhood

We joined community partners at the Fourth Annual Feria Southside to deliver voter services on site. Southside neighborhoods have historically seen lower turnout. Showing up at trusted events helps remove barriers and lift every voice ahead of the Regular Local Election, with a countywide goal to exceed 30% turnout in 2025. Families met one-on-one with staff, picked up bilingual materials, and got immediate help with election questions. The event featured more than 90 exhibitors and vendors along with cultural performances, kids’ activities, and food trucks, which made it easy to connect in a relaxed setting. On site we handled voter registration and updates, walked residents through Permanent Absentee enrollment (especially helpful for caregivers, night-shift workers, and those with transportation challenges), answered Regular Local Election questions, recruited election workers, and invited applications to our five community advisory boards. Get ready: visit SantaFe.vote to check your voter registration, sign up for Permanent Absentee, polling locations, hours, and key dates.

Sticker Design Contest: Last call for student artists

K–12 students in Santa Fe County can submit designs for “I Voted,” “Future Voter,” and “First-Time Voter” stickers. Winning designs will be printed and used in real voter outreach and Election Day celebrations. Deadline: Extended to September 16, 2025. Designs should be circular for a 3-inch round sticker. We accept JPG, PNG, PDF, AI, or EPS files — or a clear photo/scan of a hand drawing. We’ll help polish submissions. If a student’s artwork extends past the circle or needs light cleanup, our team will handle the crop and finishing so it’s print-ready while preserving the student’s design. Template to get started: Students can click “Use template” to make their own copy and design within the circle. The Clerk’s Office will review submissions, then the public will select three winners by Ranked Choice Voting. Winners will be featured on our site and social channels. Submit: tinyurl.com/SFCCStickerContest. For flyers or questions, contact Margaret Gouws at megillett@santafecountynm.gov or (505) 992-9858.

Candidate Training Sessions: Better tools for better campaigns

We continued our candidate training series led by Chief Deputy Clerk of the Bureau of Elections Rosangela Ortiz and Voter Outreach Coordinator Margaret Gouws. Sessions cover deadlines, filing requirements, campaign finance reporting, voter data requests, and how to partner with our office for accurate voter education. These trainings have improved filing-day readiness and support smoother elections countywide. “As candidates educate themselves and plan ahead, voters benefit too,” said Ortiz. Clerk Katharine E. Clark added that proactive engagement builds transparency and confidence in local elections. See our Regular Local Election page and Candidates & Campaigns page for details.

“Election School”: Statewide preparedness

Our team participated in the Secretary of State’s two-day Election School. Staff trained on election security, absentee procedures, new technology, audit communications, and an interactive canvassing exercise to sharpen accuracy and transparency. The program also focused on professional growth and wellness. A safari-themed session brought some fun to a serious agenda, with our own Gary Reid recognized as Best Dressed. “Participation in Election School helps ensure every election in Santa Fe County is secure, transparent, and accessible,” said Clerk Clark.

Clerk Clark earns national CERA certification

Clerk Katharine E. Clark earned the Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) designation, the highest professional credential for election officials in the United States and the current “gold standard.” She is one of only two sitting county clerks in New Mexico with this achievement. CERA is awarded by the National Association of Election Officials (the Election Center) upon completion of a rigorous multi-year program taught with Auburn University. The goal is to strengthen professional election management and preserve public trust. “This program represents years of commitment to advancing the practice of election administration,” said Clark. “It is an honor to help set the highest standard for secure, transparent, and accessible elections in New Mexico.”

Important Regular Local Election Dates

October 7th - Last day to register to vote online; absentee ballots to US addresses begin mailing; in-person voting begins at the Clerk's Office during business hours; Same Day Registration begins

October 13th - No voting due to Indigenous People's Day.

October 18th - Expanded early voting begins throughout the county at expanded early voting locations

October 21st - Last day to request an Absentee ballot. Be advised: ballots may take up to 7 days in the mail each way.

November 1st - Last day of early voting.

November 4th - Election Day, 7am to 7pm.

Visit SantaFe.Vote for all your election-related information!

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