SENMC Holds Constitution Day Event

By Misty Cryer

In recognition of Constitution Day on September 17, Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) held a mock election to support get-out-the-vote initiatives and the college’s civic engagement efforts.

Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke provided a draft ballot so students and attendees could “mock vote.” The results were discussed before lunch was served. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) provided voter registration during the event.

Flyers were posted with a QR Code to take students and attendees to the draft ballot to cast their mock vote. Informative flyers were placed on seats about Bond Question 2, which applies to capital expenditures for libraries, and Bond Question 3, which applies to capital expenditures for higher education, special schools, and tribal schools, along with 2026 General Education information from the Secretary of State and Eddy County.

Two screens were set up at the front of the room with rotating displays of the QR Code to mock vote, yellow signs that read “Your Vote—Your Future—Eddy County,” and a variety of phrases and trivia questions about the history of voting. Dr. Kevin Beardmore, President of SENMC, said that the “yellow signs” are also displayed on Canal and Pierce Streets.

Dr. Beardmore led the event and introduced Yolanda Jimenez, who shared some information about the NAACP, followed by the information being provided in Spanish by Lazara Reyes. Dr. Raven Anderson was invited to share what Phi Theta Kappa is doing for elections. “That’s the International Honor Society and our award-winning chapter here,” said Dr. Beardmore.

“Phi Theta Kappa, this year, has partnered with a coalition called Students Learn Students Vote,” said Dr. Anderson. As a chapter, he said, they will be doing a campus takeover, explaining how the chapter will participate in the four civic holidays celebrated during the election season.

Dr. Beardmore thanked Samantha Hardin, SENMC Library Director, for assisting with the food and drink, and invited her to speak about ballot issues.

Hardin spoke about Bond 2, which she said supports all libraries—public, academic, and tribal. At SENMC, she said, about 80% of the resources that they provide online are paid for using bond funds to support students and programs, along with equipment and software. She also announced that the food for the event included vegetarian meals and dishes prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions, which were labeled.

Dr. Beardmore took a vote from the audience to see whether they wanted to eat now or after the discussion of the mock election results. He reviewed the trivia questions on the displays for the audience to answer while attendees finished submitting ballots. The questions included when women received the right to vote in the United States (1920), and when 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds received the right to vote (1971). Dr. Beardmore briefly explained the history behind these rights being granted.

Before presenting the mock election results, Dr. Beardmore discussed the handouts explaining precincts and early voting, which he said is four weeks before the election (October 6). He presented the question, “Should you vote for somebody or something that you know nothing about?”

Audience responses included “no,” with the suggestion to leave it blank because the voter wouldn’t know what they were saying yes or no to. Another audience member suggested voting for the preferred party.

Dr. Beardmore said responses to results would be timed, with one minute allowed for an individual to discuss a candidate or an issue during the reporting of results. Various views were presented in the discussion of the results. At the time of reporting results, 48 people participated in the mock election.

The results indicated that most participants in the mock election preferred Democratic candidates or voted for the party. All participants voted for US Senator, US Representative District 3, Governor/Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, with one or two refraining from casting a vote for US State Representative District 2, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Public Lands, and County Assessor.

Responses dropped significantly for unchallenged candidates, with an average of 31 respondents casting their vote. Responses increased for the constitutional amendments, with an average of 44 participants responding, and the majority voting yes on all four amendments. An average of 44 respondents voted on the bond questions, with the majority voting yes on all three...