Officials have thus far identified seven illegitimate ballots cast in Sunland Park’s March 6 municipal elections, the Las Cruces Sun-News is reporting.
That’s a smaller number than some have claimed. In fact, Gerardo Hernandez, who lost the mayoral race to Daniel Salinas by 84 votes, alleges there were at least 174 fraudulent ballots cast, according to the Sun-News.
Several people have been charged with carrying out the illegal vote scheme that’s part of the growing scandal in the troubled border town, but those who actually voted illegally – all El Paso, Texas residents – have been granted immunity in exchange for cooperating with law enforcement.
The revelation of the seven illegal votes came to light during a court hearing Tuesday in Hernandez’s case. He’s seeking a judicial order to invalidate the election results.
District Judge Manuel Arrieta ordered county officials to comb through early and absentee ballots again to see if there are any others cast by people who don’t live there.
The Sun-News quoted Chief Deputy Clerk Mario O. Jimenez III as saying he doesn’t expect to find many more than the seven already identified.