Judicial candidate faces voter-fraud charge

To be a judge, a person has to have a keen ability to avoid even the remotest appearance of impropriety. One of two candidates for municipal judge in Sunland Park has failed that test miserably.

Horacio Favela was charged by the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department on Friday with a fourth-degree felony count of voter fraud after he allegedly voted in 2004 both in El Paso County, Texas and in Doña Ana County. You can read more from the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Favela could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted. It would be shocking if voters – who go to the polls on Tuesday – elected him over opponent Maria Laura Estrada.

Favela allegedly voted in El Paso County in 2002 and 2004 and in Doña Ana County in 2000 and 2004. According to the criminal complaint, both 2004 votes were cast by absentee ballot. In Doña Ana County, Favela voted using an address for a small trailer located next to a tortilla business in which he is a partner, the Sun-News reported. The trailer’s door has the world “office” on it and has no bed or other furnishings to indicate it’s a home.

Yes, you can smack your forehead with your palm now.