If you’re a registered voter living in the Albuquerque area (particularly if you’re in the APS district), tomorrow is an important day! A vote regarding educational bonds affecting APS, CNM and local charter schools is taking place. This could increase CNM’s capital mill levy $1 million (they haven’t gotten an increase since 1996) and APS and charter schools' capital mill levy to $575 million. Capital mill levy means the money would go towards construction, renovations, operating expenses, etc. And guess what! This won’t increase taxes!!! Whaaaaat!
So stop complaining about having to do shit and help out your local community and economy by voting! Look to see where the nearest voting center is here and if you have any more doubts, watch these videos. See y’all at the polls!
bonds
Election News
Approving Bond Issues is Good
Let’s make Burque Better
Newscity
Bernalillo County Bonds and Ballot Questions
Vote for Education
Election 2014
The Obvious, the Important and the Inscrutable
The Alibi’s guide to amendments and advisory questions
Vote
Happy Voting Day!
Polls stay open until 7 tonight
Today, it’s your Burqueño right and responsibility to choose the mayor, approve or disapprove some bonds, and possibly select a councilor for your district. Polls stay open until 7pm, and you can vote at any of them. The city’s even provided a map of polling locations that includes wait times.
Remember, for city elections, an ID is required. According to the city’s website, though, they’re pretty liberal about what constitutes voter identification:
• Government-issued card containing the voter's name and photo
• Driver's license
• Student identification card
• Credit or debit card
• Insurance card
• Union membership card
• Professional association card
• City Clerk-issued identification
• Other membership cards with the voter's name and photo
It’s certainly nice to see that if you’re one of the folks who could be negatively impacted by a voter ID law, you can at least present your Costco card in lieu of a driver’s license.
Municipal elections aren’t the sexiest of the elections (and that’s really saying something), but they represent a chance for normal people like you and me to have a say in what happens close to home. Take a few minutes to vote today and you’ll be justified in complaining about the results for the next 364.
Feature
Bonds
General obligation bonds are debt the city takes on and promises to pay back with interest. These bonds are paid with property taxes, and typically, new ones are issued when old ones are paid off. That way, property taxes don’t increase.
The Alibi endorses all bonds in 2010. Here's a quick rundown:
The Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority wants $20 million for flood control and storm water quality projects, and to meet Environmental Protection Act standards.
Together would cost $25 million
Library Bonds
Would put $1,500,000 toward books and materials
Public Safety Bonds
Seeks $500,000 to construct and equip public safety buildings
Parks and Recreation Bonds
Asks for $2,300,000 for improving recreational facilities and outfitting them with new features
The Alibi endorses all bonds proposed on the ballot. This year, all bonds are General Obligation (GO). Bonds are debt the city incurs for capital improvement projects. When a city takes out a bond, it promises to pay the balance back in full with interest. None of these bonds will increase property taxes. Here's what you're being asked to vote for.
