The arrival of social media some 20 years ago has created a challenge when it comes to finding nonpartisan political information.

The League of Women Voters, founded in 1920, does its best to offer voters a more neutral option. Last year, New Mexico implemented a law to better fund elections, in part meant to stem recent high turnover among election officials.

Kathy Brook, co-president of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico, believes voters can trust their county clerks to do a good job.

"Pretty much throughout the country there have been improvements in the operations of elections," Brook pointed out. "During the last election we got quite a few county clerks in the state to do very short videos describing the security of the election process."

The Election Performance Index ranks New Mexico best in the nation based on the 2022 midterm elections in terms of voter registration rates, postelection audits, security protocols, ballot rejection rates, wait times and more. The Index is a product of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Before the internet, many voters in both political parties relied on the League's hard copy nonpartisan Voter Guide, still available at most public libraries prior to an election. There are more options now but Brook acknowledged some voters still want the tactile experience.

"We have a fairly decent electronic tool, but those people who've gotten their information from printed guides for 30, 40 years like to see the printed guide," Brook observed.

The League lobbies legislation at the national, state, and local levels, based on positions crafted at national conventions. Members of state and local leagues determine their leagues' positions on state and local issues, consistent with the national positions.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Today is National Voter Registration Day, and volunteers with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters are holding voter registration events across the state - at libraries, school campuses, and churches.

League of Women Voters of Texas President Joyce LeBombard said the organization has seen an increase in interest in the presidential race, on both sides, now that the Democratic ticket has changed.

She added that voters should also pay attention to other races.

"In presidential race years, there is always more excitement than on non-presidential races," said LeBombard. "But I think people need to remember that all elections are important, and what's really important is those down-ballot races - those races that impact your community directly."

LeBombard said if you are already registered to vote, now is a good time to check your voter registration status.

Texas has removed more than a million voters from the rolls since 2021.

If you need information about a ballot item, the League provides its Voter's Guide. Information is also available at the Secretary of States' office or at 'votetexas.gov.'

LeBombard said since its inception, National Voter Registration Day has had a huge impact on elections.

"I think it's a very important day," said LeBombard. "It started in 2012 with both democracy-organizing groups and also elections officials. And since 2012, over 5 million voters have registered to vote or updated their voter registration."

The deadline to register to vote for the November 5 general election is October 7. Texas does not have online registration - you must do so at a community event or at your county elections office.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.




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Today is National Voter Registration Day, and some young people in Washington state are encouraging people in their age group to ensure they're registered.

The general election is less than two months away, and ballots in Washington state will start going out in just over a month, on October 18.

Ayla Nye is a student at the University of Washington who was a summer fellow with The Washington Bus, a youth voting organization.

She registered to vote three years ago when she was 18, and said the process was not complicated.

"It's just a really great chance to get involved as a citizen, and vote on polices that will be directly affecting me and my community," said Nye. "So, I was excited to register."

Online and mail-in voter registration forms must be received in Washington state by October 28 to vote in this year's general election.

But if Washingtonians miss that date, they can still register to vote in person any time before 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5.

Blake Boada is also a student at the University of Washington, and he's helping register people to vote in the lead up to the election.

"Obviously a very important election in deciding where this country's headed," said Boada. "I believe especially for young people, who this election will affect most, it's important for them to get out and vote - since our age demographic votes at a much lesser rate than those older than us."

Nye said the presidential race is a big focus in November, but she noted it isn't the only race on the ballot.

"For those who are hesitant about voting this year because they're maybe unhappy with the presidential candidates," said Nye, "I would really like to remind them that they are voting also for state policies, and positions that affect our community on a local level."




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Just a few months after some South Dakota absentee ballots were illegally challenged, officials are concerned slow mail delivery could affect outcomes on Election Day.

Members of the National Association of State Election Officials have sent a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General, expressing concerns about Postal Service performance over the last year. It cited patterns of inconsistent training among staff, lengthy delivery times and a rise in mail returned as undeliverable, which can affect a voter's registration.

Samantha Chapman, advocacy manager for the ACLU of South Dakota, hopes election officials across the state are educating people who request absentee ballots.

"About the possibility of delayed mail service and the importance of expediently filling out those ballots and mailing them back as soon as possible," Chapman stressed.

Chapman encouraged South Dakotans to check the status of their voter registration in case they have been purged through routine maintenance or other changes. The registration deadline is Oct. 21.

A challenge to some absentee ballots cast during the June primary in Minnehaha County nearly caused 100 to be rejected, in a race where candidates were separated by just 83 votes, according to the ACLU. The South Dakota Secretary of State's Office advised state law did not deem the ballots challengeable.

Chapman hopes there are no similar issues on the upcoming Election Day.

"We really, really, really are pushing all of our election administrators to follow the laws that are in place," Chapman explained. "And to use their positions to be an accurate source of information for voters."

The U.S. Postal Service last month proposed a plan to adjust mail delivery starting next year to increase reliance on regional hubs, which could slow delivery to rural areas. It is estimated the plan will save the service $3 billion per year.