Election Day in Socorro County

Voters came out Tuesday to the Socorro County Annex building to support the candidates.
Greg Byrd | El Defensor Chieftain

Candidates and their supporters were at the voting booths, making their opinions known on Nov. 2. From municipal judge to district school board positions, candidates hoped to be selected by Socorro’s citizens.

One such voter at the polls was William Diebitz. Diebitz is a luthier, meaning he repairs musical instruments.

“I feel like I voted for the right people,” he said. “Coming out to vote every year is very important for our democracy. Whatever is left of our democracy needs to be supported. I feel like here in Socorro the system is generally working as well as government works.”

As of 11 a.m. on Election Day, only 12 percent of registered voters in Socorro County had cast their ballots, said County Clerk Betty Saavedra. There were approximately 700 voters who participated in early voting in the county, she said.

As voters entered the Socorro Annex building, multiple supporters and candidates were parked across the street in hope of swaying voters’ thoughts. Joseph E. Gutierrez was running for municipal judge.

“My experience speaks for itself,” he said. “I’ve been a law enforcement officer for over 25 years. I have had continuous employment from being a firefighter to a police officer. I was born and raised here (Socorro) and I believe in this position I can make honest and fair balanced decisions.”

On the City Council, Mary Ann Chavez-Lopez was running for re-election in Ward 2. Her campaign team’s motto is “Experience Counts.” If elected it would be her third term.

“People are out here supporting my campaign because I represent the citizens. Socorro has a special place in my heart and I want these citizens to live the best life they can.”

Supporters for Daniel “James” Chavez for School Board Position 4 as well as Pauline Jaramillo for School Board Position 5 were also out during voting day. Jaramillo’s supporters’ signs read “Let’s keep moving forward.”