ELECTIONS
Municipalities have two choices when conducting municipal elections.
- They may choose to hold municipal elections in November of odd-years along with other local elections (school board, soil & water conservation board, etc.), via the OPT-IN procedures below. This election is run by the county clerk and is known as the Regular Local Election (RLE), or
- They can continue to conduct the municipal election themselves. Those elections are held in March of even years and is known as the Municipal Officer Election (MOE). This election is run by the municipal clerk and the municipality pays for all of the election.
OPT-IN
If a municipality chooses to have their municipal elections as part of the RLE in November, instead of the MOE in March, they must make the change by ordinance. In addition, the municipality must determine whether to reduce or extend the terms of office for the Elected Officials. The choice to opt-in must be adopted and submitted to the Secretary of State by June 30 of the year in which the RLE will occur.
Sample Opt-in Letter to Secretary of State
2023 Opt In Calendar RLE CFOA 012523
2023 Election Code
https://www.sos.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/NM-Election-Handbook-SOS.pdf
RECORDS
NM Municipal Records Retention Schedule
Sample Records Retention Schedule Resolution
Sample Email Retention Guidelines
Sample Records Destruction Guidelines
Handbook for Municipal Clerks (2016 Revision)
Open Meetings Act Compliance Guide
Inspection of Public Records Compliance Guide
22-23 NMMCFOA Membership Application
International Institute of Municipal Clerks – Institute Director (Interim): Lisa Johnston, MMC – lcjohnston@gmail.com
New Mexico Municipal League District Map
