A proposal for a major entertainment development in downtown Albuquerque was forgotten from the ballot. So when will voters have a chance to have a say on it?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Less than a week before Election Day, city officials in Albuquerque are acknowledging a major ballot mistake – one that left an entire proposition off this year’s ballot.
The Albuquerque City Clerk’s Office says it “takes responsibility for a clerical error that omitted a proposition from the upcoming ballot,” according to a statement provided to KOB 4.
The missing proposition would have asked voters to remove a long-standing provision in the city charter that prevents the construction of a downtown performing arts center without voter approval – a move supporters say is key to unlocking new economic and cultural development downtown.
City Councilor Joaquin Baca, who helped lead the effort to get the question before voters, said he was stunned by the oversight.
“I was extremely disappointed. I don’t think this should have happened at all,” Baca said. “They just missed it. Oversight.”
The City Clerk’s Office said it is “reviewing procedures to prevent future errors and exploring all options to ensure voters can weigh in on this matter as soon as possible.”
Baca called it “a bit of a snafu,” noting that months of committee meetings, public hearings, and community input went into getting the measure ready in time for the election.
“Just a big mistake on the part of the city clerk,” Baca said. “I’ve calmed down for sure.”
When will voters decide on it?
Now, city leaders are trying to determine when voters will finally have a chance to weigh in. One option, Baca said, could be adding the question to a possible mayoral runoff ballot later this year – though he acknowledged turnout for runoff elections tends to be much lower.
If not, the proposition could be delayed until next year’s regular election, forcing the city to restart the entire process.
“We will make sure this never happens again,” Baca said.
He added that the proposed performing arts center would help attract new talent and investment to Albuquerque.
“If you want to attract doctors, if you want to attract businesses, you have to have the same type of cultural and civic amenities that any other city has,” Baca said. “This is something Albuquerque is missing.”
City Council members are expected to discuss the ballot error at their next meeting. Despite his frustration, Baca said he’s grateful the mistake didn’t involve a measure with legal or financial consequences for the city.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.kob.com ’
