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Voters’ voices: Key issues on the ballot

There is no shortage of hot-button issues driving voters to the polls this November. Nonpartisan analyst Nathan Gonzales reported last month that this year’s 2022 midterm elections could set another voter turnout record.

According to a recent Politico-Harvard survey, voters say they are most concerned about inflation and the economy, followed by gun policy, abortion and health care. 

An official New Mexico ballot dropbox stands outside the Corbett Center Student Union Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. (Photo by Hannah Hunter/Kokopelli)

Kokopelli staff reporters worked together to analyze some of these key issues with an eye toward local politics heading into this year’s midterm elections. This series is intended to provide critical information for voters looking to understand what policy positions each party endorses. This series also features expert perspectives and local NMSU student and community perspectives. 

A total of 470 seats in the U.S. Congress (35 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election on November 8, 2022. Democrats currently occupy 220 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, while Republicans occupy 212 seats. There are currently three vacancies in the House as well. Democrats and Republicans each control 50 seats in the U.S. Senate with Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote giving the Democrats majority control. 

Legislative policies around the economy, human rights, women’s bodily autonomy, gun control and other important issues are all on the ballot in less than a week. 

As of Monday, Oct. 31, 1,362,028 New Mexicans were registered to vote. These voters, along with other voters from across the United States, are all in a position to determine the fate of many highly controversial issues that continue to divide the nation.

All voters are encouraged to consult votesmart.org in order to research candidates’ biographies, voting records, policy positions, ratings, speeches and funding. Votesmart.org is a nonpartisan organization. Its stated mission is “to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to all Americans.”

Inflation, economy concern voters the most

Groceries, cars, and gasoline are just a few indispensables that are getting more expensive every day. Inflation has been a ...

Constitutional right to abortion gone, but not forgotten

Rage, joy, heartbreak and relief are just a few of the emotions that Americans felt after the constitutional right to ...

Immigration, Dreamers’ future on ballot

Immigration seems to always be in the news, more so now with the 2022 midterm elections underway. In Las Cruces, ...

Election integrity important to both parties

As voters head to the polls this November, an issue they take with them is the sanctity and security of ...

Voters, lawmakers determine fate of the planet

New Mexico residents have closely experienced the effects of climate change, especially this year, and many are still recovering from ...

Ballot box holds fate of my reproductive rights

Subtle signs, chalk drawings and social media posts bringing up the subject of women's bodily autonomy follow students throughout their ...

LGBTQ, human rights up for grabs

Human rights advocates say LGBTQ rights are at stake in this week's U.S. midterm elections When the decision to overturn ...

Gun control messaging varies by state

Gun violence is cited as the third most important issue on voters' minds, with 46% saying it's "extremely important," according ...

Health care remains serious concern among voters

As midterm election day is quickly approaching, voters head to the polls to make their voices heard. One issue that ...

Crime uptick gives voters pause

Based on official FBI data, New Mexico had the highest overall crime rate of any state in the nation in ...

One Comment

  1. This is great stuff. Thanks for providing the details.

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