The write-in ballots in three local races have been counted and results were canvassed locally Wednesday evening by the Valencia County Commission.
Results for all races will be sent to the secretary of state’s office for a second canvass before being declared official.
The only candidate for the Belen Board of Education, District 1 seat was write-in candidate Orlando Santillanes. He received 34 votes.
In the Belen Board of Education, District 2 race, there were three candidates, including write-in Andrew Salas. He received 118 votes from Socorro County voters and 47 from Valencia County, for a total of 165.
Incumbent Aubrey Tucker received a total of 246 votes and Amanda Silva took 194.
There were four candidates — three of who were write-ins — competing for two University of New Mexico-Valencia campus Advisory Board at-large positions representing the Los Lunas Schools district. Among the write-ins, Christopher Williams received 161 votes, Richard Montgomery received 110 and Torres Leyba took 65.
Incumbent Paul Luna, who filed on filing day, received 4,014 votes.
After the results have been canvassed by the SOS, it will be determined if automatic recounts are needed in the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District landowner race and Rio Communities City Council election. In the council race, where four candidates who ran for two seats. There is a tie between two candidates for second place.
Once both canvasses are done, if there is still a tie, the outcome will most likely be determined by lot, as per state statute. That has traditionally been interpreted as a game of chance, such as a high card draw or throw of the dice.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 25, 2024
