The task force found that, in recent years, the office has suffered form high turnover, low morale and a lack of organizational cohesion, which has resulted in a myriad of problems. The report recommends the hiring of a qualified elections supervisor, revision of the office’s organizational structure and the creation of training programs to ensure compliance with state statutes and consistent training of poll workers.
Lynn Ellins said in the few weeks he has been elections supervisor, much of that has been done. Some staff reorganization has already taken place. He is conducting employee evaluations, which has not been done in at least a year. Nine people have been appointed to form a team of poll-worker trainers, and are also developing a program for long-term training of workers to ensure it’s done right in the future.
Ellins said he meets with Democrats and Republicans frequently, and with Clerk Rita Torres two or three times each day, which was not being done before.
Ellins was able to implement many of the changes weeks ago because he also served on the elections task force and was one of nine who investigated the problems. He said his management of the office is one of the most important changes.
“One of the major things is I’m listening to suggestions from people and I’m implementing them when it makes sense,” Ellins said. “They’re very skilled and proficient. … What I’ve been trying to do is give them some positive suggestions, some positive feedback.”
That has resulted in improved morale, and Ellins said the elections bureau staff is now “working as a unit” instead of different people “going different ways.”
That will help when Ellins leaves. He has agreed to run the Nov. 7 general election, but after that wraps up he’ll leave the office and Torres will have to hire a new elections supervisor.
November won’t be without problems, Ellins said. That’s in part due to the state-mandated switch to paper ballots, which is taking place at the same time that the county’s office is being recreated by Ellins and the task force.
“Sure we’re going to make some mistakes. It’s inevitable,” Ellins said. “But at least we’re going to anticipate the problem areas so we’re prepared, and if we make a mistake, we can correct it immediately.”
Officials with both major political parties have said they expect fewer problems than in past elections.
Training poll workers is the biggest challenge, Ellins said. It was perhaps the most problematic aspect of operations identified by the task force. In addition, this year poll workers have to learn two new machines – the machine that tabulates paper ballots filled out at each precinct, and a machine for those with handicaps that Ellins described as a “$5,000 pencil.”
Public education about the new system has already begun, and feedback was positive at last weekend’s Whole Enchilada Fiesta, Ellins said. Workers will also be at the Southern New Mexico State Fair this weekend demonstrating the new voting system.
Ellins said it’s not that complicated. Voters will be given a ballot that looks like a school scantron sheet. Using a pencil, they’ll have to fill in the circles corresponding with the candidates they choose – the entire circle, not just a part – then feed the ballot into a machine that counts votes.