If Burque’s crowded mayoral race goes to a runoff election in December, the city has set aside $750,000 to cover the cost, though county officials warn costs will “significantly exceed” previous elections, potentially requiring City Council approval for additional funding.
The Bernalillo County Clerk’s office has not set a final price tag for a possible December runoff, but city officials said the county recently projected the cost could reach about $1.6 million — more than twice what the City Council budgeted. With six candidates in the mayor’s race and several competitive City Council contests on the Nov. 4 ballot, pollster Brian Sanderoff said a runoff will likely hinge on whether the challengers can raise enough money to keep Mayor Tim Keller below 50%.
“Based on historical data and current election cost factors,” Nathan Jaramillo, the Bernalillo County Bureau of Elections administrator, said in a statement, “such as increases in poll worker compensation, site lease rates and vendor service contracts, we anticipate that the overall cost of a citywide runoff would significantly exceed that of previous elections.”
The city budgeted $750,000 for a possible runoff in its fiscal 2026 plan, approved by the City Council in May. City officials said the council would have to approve more money if costs run higher. Rising election expenses have outpaced the city’s budget planning, leaving a potential shortfall of more than $850,000.
In 2023, Source NM reported, the county estimated a runoff for only District 6 would cost $1.2 million. Still, according to a city official, the actual bill came to about $500,000 — about 42% less than the estimated amount.
The 2017 mayoral runoff, the closest comparison to this year’s race, cost the city about $840,000, according to city records. Other recent runoffs ranged from $375,000 for District 7 and District 9 races in 2021 to $1.4 million for District 2 and District 4 in 2019.
The pattern suggests the county tends to give high estimates for budgeting, with final costs usually coming in lower. Past projections have often exceeded actual expenses by 40% to 50%.
According to KUNM, the state legislature doubled the maximum daily pay for poll workers from $200 to $400 in recent years to help recruit and keep election staff, driving up costs. Lease rates for polling sites, vendor contracts, and supplies like ballot paper, ink, and printers have also become more expensive.
A citywide mayoral runoff adds to the expense because the county must staff and operate polling places in every city precinct, not just one district.
The likelihood of a runoff
Six candidates are still in the race for Albuquerque mayor — incumbent Tim Keller, former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, City Councilor Louie Sanchez, former U.S. Attorney Alex Uballez, former county official Mayling Armijo and retired firefighter Eddie Varela. Daniel Chavez dropped out but will remain on the ballot.
A recent Albuquerque Journal poll conducted by Research & Polling Inc. showed Keller leading with 29% and 37% of voters were undecided. White came in second at 16%, while Sanchez and Uballez each polled at 6%.
Brian Sanderoff, president of Research & Polling Inc., said a runoff will likely hinge on whether lesser-known challengers can raise enough money to compete with Keller’s well-funded campaign.
“You would expect there to be a runoff, because you would expect [the other candidates] to pick up more support as they get known,” Sanderoff said. “However, if they’re having a hard time raising money, then it does create an opportunity for Keller.”
He added, if a runoff happens, there’s “a good chance” it would be between Keller and White, “the two with the biggest name recognition.”
How runoffs work in ABQ
The city charter requires candidates to win a majority, meaning more than 50% of the vote.
Voters raised the threshold from 40% to 50% in 2013 to ensure winners have broader support, though the runoff system adds extra costs. Before the change, candidates could win with just 40% — and even below that threshold in crowded races.
In 2001, Martin Chavez won with 37.9% of the vote in a four-candidate field, and in 2009, Richard Berry defeated Chavez with 43.8% in a three-way race that also included Richard Romero at 21%.
Sanderoff said the trade-off is intentional. “The voters passed a runoff system, and for better or worse, that’s what we have,” he said. “By having a runoff system, you’re guaranteeing that the winner has the majority of the vote. But it has its downsides too, and one of them is the extra expense of an election.”
If no one reaches that threshold, a runoff must be held within 45 days of the results being certified.
The City Council set Dec. 9 as the runoff date in a resolution passed in May, but officials must pass a second resolution after the election to officially name the candidates.
Bernalillo County has run city elections since Albuquerque joined the Local Election Act in 2018, billing the city for actual costs. City officials said the city typically receives the bill in January, after new councilors are sworn in, and any costs above the $750,000 reserve would need City Council approval.
Under the charter, only the necessary precincts and procedures are reactivated for a runoff, meaning a mayoral runoff is citywide while a council runoff is limited to the district. If both mayoral and council races go to runoffs, costs increase further.
“If multiple contests were to require a runoff (for example, a mayoral race along with one or more City Council districts), the total cost would increase proportionally based on the number of polling sites, equipment deployments, and staffing needs,” Jaramillo said.
City Council Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are also up for election. District 1’s four-candidate field could increase the chances of a runoff there.
What’s next
Voters will learn on Nov. 4 whether a runoff is needed.
Early voting begins in two phases:
Oct. 7-17 at the Clerk’s Annex, 415 Silver Ave. SW, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closed Oct. 13 for Indigenous Peoples’ Day), then expands countywide Oct. 18 – Nov. 1, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
All sites will also be open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Election Day.
If no mayoral candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers will face off Dec. 9, with winners taking office Jan. 1.
The county has not released a formal cost estimate, and actual expenses won’t be known until the election determines the scope of any runoff.
Voters can cast ballots in person, drop off absentee ballots, or register using Same Day Registration at any early voting site. More information is available at berncoclerk.gov/elections/ or by calling (505) 243-VOTE (8683).