Late arriving ballots play crucial role in close Doña Ana County commissioner races

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Volunteers in Doña Ana County were kept busy well into Wednesday afternoon, tabulating thousands of absentee ballots submitted as part of the New Mexico primary.

Administrators involved in the organization and tabulation of the ballots were impressed with voter turnout, adding that it was higher than expected.

It was especially impressive considering the ongoing pandemic, with more than 26,000 ballots being cast in the county.

In the District 2 County Commissioner race, Democrat Diana Murillo-Trujillo looked to have defeated Ramon Gonzalez for the Democratic nomination.

Additionally, an interesting result occurred in the District 4 County Commissioner Democratic race where there was a difference of only 23 votes separating leader Irma Susana Chaparro from Debra Ann Hathaway.

If that result holds, it will trigger a recount which would have to take place in July.

Once tabulated at the county level, ballots are sent out to be verified by New Mexico's governor and secretary of state.