Is there a “pink wave” in Doa Ana County?

With more women on the Doña Ana County ballot than the last two midterm elections, is there a “pink wave” in the southern part of the state?

“I think we’re certainly seeing more female candidates,” said Deputy Doña Ana County Clerk Lindsey Bachman. “That’s great for the community that has the opportunity to vote.”

2010: 15 women on the ballot 2014: 21 women on the ballot 2018: 27 women on the ballot

In the 2010 midterm elections, there were 15 women on the ballot. In 2014, 21 women were on the ballot. This year, there are 27 women running for public office on the ballot in New Mexico.

Note: These numbers include the women running statewide and the women running in Doña Ana County.

“It’s wonderful,” said Noelle Kiely, who voted early on Thursday. “I think it’s an exciting time.”

“I think it’s really empowering for women, just to see that we can do all of that” said her 19-year-old daughter, Irelynd, who was voting for the first time.

Any voter can clearly see “pink” up and down the ballot. For example, of the candidates running for court of appeals, five of the nine are women.

“The change is necessary,” said Noelle Kiely. “We need to bring the female line of thinking into politics.”

Early voting numbers in the county are also expected to surpass the numbers from the last midterm election.

By Thursday, 28,000 people had voted early, Bachman told ABC-7. In the 2014 election, there were 41,500 votes in total.

“It’s so encouraging, because democracy works best when everyone shows up at the polls,” Bachman said.

Early voting ends Saturday, November 3rd.