Spaceport tax supporters exuberant in victory

As it became clear this afternoon that they had enough votes to declare victory, spaceport tax supporters expressed joy and exhaustion after having campaigned so hard for its approval.

“I haven’t slept for a week,” said Doña Ana County Commissioner Kent Evans. “I just think it’s wonderful.”

Provisional ballot tallies from precincts 61 and 63 that came in just before 4 p.m. made it mathematically impossible for opponents of the tax to win. The results after the counting of those precincts give supporters a 253-vote lead with about 227 provisional ballots left to consider. They have 8,906 votes, or 50.7 percent, to opponents’ 8,653 votes, or 49.3 percent.

“This has never been done before, and I am so proud of the voters of Doña Ana County for recognizing the opportunity that Spaceport America presents and voting with their wallets,” said Commissioner Bill McCamley. “A positive referendum shows the world that this community is ready for this industry.”

Of 339 provisional ballots that have been considered, 203 votes, or 60 percent, favored approval of the tax, while 123 votes, or 36 percent, went against it. About 4 percent of provisional ballots have been disqualified.

“Based on unofficial results, the spaceport ballot initiative has passed,” Gov. Bill Richardson said. “This positive vote for the spaceport ballot initiative means America’s new frontier begins in Southern New Mexico. I’m proud that the people of Doña Ana County chose a high-tech and high-wage future, with better math and science education, and expanded opportunities for young men and women right here in New Mexico.”

Update, 5:20 p.m.

Here’s the statement of New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rick Homans:

“This positive vote ignites the final design, engineering and construction of Spaceport America,” he said. “We can now say that Spaceport America is ready for blast off – all systems are go. New Mexico is prepared to launch a whole new era of discovery, exploration and commercial activity in space, on the Moon and beyond. We have nothing but beautiful, black sky ahead of us.”

“Winning this election was one of the biggest hurdles we faced when we proposed this project in December 2005,” he said. “All of us involved with Spaceport America extend a major thank you to the voters of Doña Ana County for the confidence they have expressed in this project and our ability to make it happen.”