City releases unofficial list of municipal candidates who have filed

The city of Rio Rancho clerk released the unofficial list of candidates for the March 5 municipal election Jan. 10.

The city clerk must notify each person who filed in writing no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 12 whether their declaration of candidacy was qualified or disqualified. A listing of individuals who filed a declaration of candidacy, along with the qualification status, is available on the city’s website. Each qualified candidate will appear on the official ballot unless a signed and notarized statement of withdrawal is submitted to the city clerk within seven days after the declaration of candidacy filing date.

The deadline for write-in candidacy is still coming up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 16.

State law says any voter may challenge the candidacy of an individual seeking election to a municipal office by filing a petition in district court within seven days after the declaration of candidacy filing date or within seven days after the declaration of write-in candidacy filing date.

If no candidate for a particular office receives more than 50% of the total votes cast for the March election, the candidates with the highest and second-highest vote totals for the applicable office will be subject to a runoff election. The runoff election would be held April 9.

Local ballot questions, including General Obligation Bond questions for roads, public safety and quality-of-life facilities, will also appear on the March ballot.

These are candidates who filed but have not been qualified for their candidacy yet:

District 1 city councilor (four-year term)

• • Jim Owen
  • Thomas N. Gentry III
  • Deborah S. Dapson

District 4 city councilor (four-year term)

• • Raymond Anthony Archibeque
  • Paul M. Wymer
  • Alexandria C. Piland

District 6 city councilor (four-year term)

• • Edward Lynn Paulsgrove
  • Chris J. Vanden-Heuvel
  • Nicole Dahn List
  • Aleta P. Suazo

For additional information about the ballot questions, voter registration, absentee, early, and Election Day voting, visit rrnm.gov/rrvotes or contact the city clerk’s Office at 505-891-5004.