No campaign finance vote this fall: Here’s what Bernalillo County is doing instead

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Bernalillo County voters will not see proposed changes to the public campaign finance system on the November ballot after county commissioners withdrew the measures to allow more time for study instead of rushing a complex proposal to voters.

On Tuesday, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution directing the resident-led Code of Conduct Review Board to work with legal counsel and ethics experts to study voluntary public financing models and draft an Open and Ethical Elections Ordinance. Commissioner Eric Olivas withdrew the proposed charter amendment and ballot questions for November to allow that work to move forward. Olivas said the goal of “removing money and influence” from local elections remains the same, but the study offers a more deliberate path forward.

During public comment, representatives from the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico and Common Cause New Mexico supported taking more time to study the issue, while other residents raised concerns. Stewart Ingram, a member of the New Mexico Public Education Commission running for reelection, questioned the study’s cost and rules regarding qualifying contributions.

Commissioner Walt Benson had planned to oppose the original ballot measure, warning in a July 19 opinion piece that its six-week timeline was rushed. After commissioners withdrew the ballot questions, Benson voted in favor after the ballot questions were pulled. Benson said that while “you can’t get money out of politics,” he supports studying the system and looks forward to the results. Commissioner Barbara Baca praised Olivas for listening to advocates, noting, “We support public financing; it’s a good thing, let’s just do it right.”

The Code of Conduct Review Board has until Aug. 31, 2027, to deliver recommendations. The board meets quarterly or as needed at Bernalillo County at Alvarado Square, 415 Silver Ave. SW. Residents can attend meetings to weigh in before commissioners consider a final ordinance.

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