Thousands of absentee ballots to be impounded in Las Cruces

Thousands of absentee ballots from Dona Ana County are expected to be impounded and inspected in Las Cruces Monday.

The ballots in question are to determine the winner of the Congressional District 2 race between Republican Yvette Herrell and Democrat Xochitl Torres Small.

Herrell was the projected winner on election night, nearly a month ago, but then it was announced that 8,000 absentee ballots had to be counted.

Herrell filed a lawsuit to have the ballots re-inspected.

Last week, a state canvassing board declared Torres Small the winner after the absentee ballots were counted.

The ballots could not be impounded until there was an official winner declared.

Both campaigns are expected to be present in Las Cruces when the ballots are impounded.