Caitlin Pozernick

2012swingstates: There was no question about young voter...

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:39:00 -0500

2012swingstates:

There was no question about young voter enthusiasm around the University of New Mexico campus on Tuesday.

Student voters flooded the UNM campus polling area trying to cast their ballots for the 2012 election season. The polling center boasted a two-hour wait time, nearly four times as long as other voting polls in the Albuquerque, N.M. area.

Obama won New Mexico.

Voter ID laws negatively affect American Indian vote

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:50:23 -0400

Voter ID laws negatively affect American Indian vote:

2012swingstates:

CBS News reports that a recent study issued by the National Congress of American Indians declares that State Voter ID laws hurt the Native American voter turn out.

States including Alaska and Florida do not accept Tribal identification cards, making voting exteemely difficlult for rural American Indians living on the reservation.

The report cites lack of physical street addresses on the reservation as an obstacle for many Natives in their quest to obtain valid identification.

N.M. governor to join Romney, Ryan in Colorado

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:13:40 -0400

N.M. governor to join Romney, Ryan in Colorado :

2012swingstates:

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez will rally alongside Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and vice-presidental candidate Paul Ryan in Colorado at the Red Rocks Amphitheater tonight.

N.M. on track to break early voting record

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:38:46 -0400

N.M. on track to break early voting record:

2012swingstates:

The number of New Mexicans voting early this year is expected exceed to the previous record set in 2008.

#Bernalillo #Albuquerque

“If you learn from an experience, that’s good - so...

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:24:50 -0400

“If you learn from an experience, that’s good - so nothing bad happened to you.”

-Russell Means

"Young people and Indian people need to know that we existed in the 20th Century. We need to know who..."

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:20:58 -0400

“Young people and Indian people need to know that we existed in the 20th Century. We need to know who our heroes are and to know what we have done and accomplished in this century other than what Olympic athletes Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills have done.”

- Russell Means, the legendary American Indian activist lost his battle with throat cancer today at the age of 72, the New York Times reports.

2012 New Mexico Voter Guide

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:39:24 -0400

2012 New Mexico Voter Guide:

2012swingstates:

The Albuquerque Journal has everything New Mexicans need to know about the 2012 elections.

From key dates and locations to candidates to state issues, the 2012 NM Voter Guide makes this year’s election a little easier.

N.M. governor to campaign in swing states

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:07:51 -0400

N.M. governor to campaign in swing states:

2012swingstates:

New Mexico governor Susana Martinez is expected to campaign in a few key swing states on behalf of the Republican party in support of Mitt Romney.

As the nation’s first Latina Governor, Martinez is looking to plug Romney in Dallas during a fundraiser for Hispanic Republicans.

Martinez will campaign in Nevada and Texas.

2012swingstates: “It’s all about my right to be able to choose...

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:37:06 -0400

2012swingstates:

“It’s all about my right to be able to choose what I can and cannot do with my body. It’s important because I absolutely have the right to chose any option regarding my reproductive rights.”

- Teejay Secatero, a nursing student at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M., on the most important issues of this election.

What issue matters most to you in the upcoming election? Tell us here on The 12, or tweet your response using #VoterVoices

Tweet #VoterVoices

You can read about what candidates are saying on important issues and endorse their statements here on the Issue Engine.

Rasmussen reports Obama holds 11 percent lead in NM

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:50:50 -0400

Rasmussen reports Obama holds 11 percent lead in NM

Johnson receives warm welcome from UNM

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:15:26 -0400

Johnson receives warm welcome from UNM:

2012swingstates:

Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson made an unexpected but welcome visit to his alma mater in Albuquerque, N.M. on Tuesday.

Johnson’s liberal social policies are especially appealing to student voters and Johnson has a strong following among younger voters.

"The economy is the most important issue to me because we are the world’s superpower and as such, we..."

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:15:13 -0400

“The economy is the most important issue to me because we are the world’s superpower and as such, we should have stability. Economic stability, as a future paramedic, is especially important to myself and people in my field for retirement. Right now there are a lot of people in my field losing their pensions because the economy is so bad and that is something that I cannot afford to lose.”

- Solon Nodal, student at the Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, N.M.

What are Obama and Romney saying they would do about the economy? Check out our Issues Week coverage here.

What issue matters most to you in the upcoming election? Tell us here on The 12, or tweet your response using #VoterVoices

Tweet #VoterVoices

You can also read up on the candidates positions and endorse their statements using the Washington Post’s Issue Engine.

Why the Native American Vote Could Win the Senate for Democrats

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:42:18 -0400

Why the Native American Vote Could Win the Senate for Democrats

New Mexico's voter postcard project expected to affect turnout

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:03:50 -0400

New Mexico's voter postcard project expected to affect turnout:

2012swingstates:

Some Democrats in New Mexico are criticizing the state’s voter postcard registration project as a suppression of minority voters.

The project was created in an attempt to update voter information and will soon be used to purge “inactive” voters from voter rolls, according to this Huffington Post report.

Critics of the program are calling the entire project fundamentally problematic given the state’s economic condition. New Mexico registered the highest foreclosure rate in the nation briefly in 2010 and many voters have relocated since the last election.

"In terms of specific groups, like Native Americans, Washburn’s confirmation will make a difference..."

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:15:00 -0400

“

In terms of specific groups, like Native Americans, Washburn’s confirmation will make a difference in the amount of support Obama receives this election. New Mexico and Oklahoma, where Washburn is from, will recognize and appreciate the fact that Obama nominated Washburn to the post of assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of Interior…

I think Washburn’s confirmation will make a slight difference in the amount of Native people who will vote in favor of Obama this election. The challenge is actually getting voters to the voting polls.

”

- Dr. Lloyd Lee, Assistant Professor of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico.

UNM Law school dean Kevin Washburn, Chickasaw, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the position of assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of Interior. The recommendation, made by President Barack Obama, earned positive reactions in New Mexico. Washburn’s confirmation follows a newly released poll that showing Obama with a ten-point lead in the state.

(via 2012swingstates)

Are New Mexicans better off under ObamaCare?

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:22:16 -0400

Are New Mexicans better off under ObamaCare?:

2012swingstates:

The Albuquerque Journal addresses President Barack Obama’s controversial health care reform bill and declares that a “Majority of New Mexicans better off under ObamaCare.”

Has Romney given up on New Mexico?

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 13:59:42 -0400

Has Romney given up on New Mexico?:

2012swingstates:

CNN reports that the Republican National Committee, in conjunction with Mitt Romney’s campaign, will relocate three campaign staffers to a more competitive Colorado and Nevada.

Although Republicans will maintain a campaign staff in New Mexico, all signs point to them ceding to President Obama in the state. RealClearPolitics reports that Obama has a 10-point lead over Romney.

Neither candidate is currently airing television ads in New Mexico.

2012swingstates: The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque...

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:59:56 -0400

2012swingstates:

The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque received its first presidential candidate visit of 2012 on Tuesday morning. But despite New Mexico’s status on the fringe of the states considered up-for-grabs in 2012, it wasn’t from President Obama or Mitt Romney.

Peta Lindsay, the nominee of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, interacted with staff and students advocating her addition to the New Mexico voting ballot.

Lindsay is technically not a legal candidate as she is only 28 and the Constitution requires that all presidential candidates be at least 35 years old. The anti-war and immigration advocate has managed to make it onto the ballot in 13 states, excluding New Mexico.

Health care dominates 'most shared' issues in New Mexico

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 01:06:23 -0400

Health care dominates 'most shared' issues in New Mexico:

2012swingstates:

CNN reports that health care is the “most shared issue” on social media in 13 battleground states, according to data from social sharing company ShareThis. And New Mexicans discuss healthcare online more than twice as often as other 12 “battleground states” included in the study.

According to information provided to CNN, 16.1% of total shares in 12 battleground states are stories about health care. Over 12% of shares are on stories relating to abortion, followed by education, the economy, role of government, gun control, environment, same-sex marriage, terrorism and foreign policy. Immigration is the least shared-issue with only 1.7% of all shares. Users from New Mexico share health care stories the most – at 45% – followed by New Hampshire at 20%.

Are New Mexicans ready for to break their political mold?

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:06:30 -0400

Are New Mexicans ready for to break their political mold?:

2012swingstates:

The Albuquerque Journal raises the question of whether or not New Mexicans are ready to “Wield the Washington Whammy.” New Mexico has a long history of electing veteran officials and has many asking if the 2012 Congressional Race will be any different.