Santa Fe Community College Announces November Election for Two Board Seats

Two positions on the Santa Fe Community College Governing Board will be determined during the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

  • Learn how to declare candidacy with New Mexico’s “2019 Local Election Candidate Guide” 

Those interested in becoming a candidate for the college’s Governing Board must file a declaration of candidacy and sworn statement of intent with the County Clerk between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27. Forms may be obtained at www.santafecountynm.gov/clerk or at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s office, 102 Grant Ave. Call 505-986-6280 for more information.

A letter from former Interim President Cecilia Cervantes, Ph.D., was filed with the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office on June 20 stating SFCC’s intention to participate in the Nov. 5 election for the two open positions on SFCC’s Governing Board.

The SFCC Governing Board plays a critical role in setting the course for SFCC’s future. The Board establishes the policies necessary to effectively carry out the college’s mission to empower students and strengthen community and to advance the best interests of students, faculty, staff and the community. Together, the five-member Board is committed to ensuring the college provides accessible, affordable and innovative educational opportunities that serve the needs of the community.

To qualify as a candidate for the SFCC Governing Board, individuals must be age 21 or older and a resident of the community college district, which corresponds with the boundaries of the Santa Fe Public School District. All SFCC Governing Board seats are at-large and are designated by a position number. Board members are elected to regular six-year terms unless they are filling a vacancy.

In November, voters will be asked to select one candidate for Position 3, currently held by Martha Romero, Ph.D., and one candidate for Position 5, currently held by Kathy Keith. The winners in Position 3 and 5 will serve for six years on the board. The term for Positions 3 and 5 begins January 1, 2020 and expires on December 31, 2026.

Absentee by mail voting will begin Oct. 8 and continues through Nov. 1. Absentee in-person voting will be available from Tuesday, Oct. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s office, 102 Grant Ave. (Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Saturday, Nov. 2 is the only Saturday voting at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Note: The Santa Fe County Clerk’s office will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14 in observance of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday. Voting at alternate voting sites begins Saturday, Oct. 19 through Nov. 2 from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Alternate voting locations will also offer Saturday voting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Oct. 19 through Nov. 2.

The alternate early voting locations are as follows:

  • Abedon Lopez Community Center, 155A Camino De Quintana, Santa Cruz
  • Christian Life Church, 121 Siringo Road, Santa Fe
  • Edgewood Elementary School, 285 Dinkle Road, Edgewood
  • Max Coll Corridor Community Center, 16 Avenida Torreon, Eldorado
  • Pojoaque County Satellite Office, 5 W. Guitierrez, Suite 9, Pojoaque Pueblo Plaza.
  • Santa Fe County Fair Building, 3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe.

Voters can request an absentee ballot at any time by calling the County Clerk’s Office at 505-986-6280 or go online through the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office website https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/AbsenteeApplication.aspx?type=RA

For this election, please note voter registration closes at 5 p.m. Oct. 8. Voter registration is also available electronically on the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office website  (https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/InstructionsStep1.aspx.)

If you have any questions about voter registration or the election, please contact the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office at 505-986-6280.

SFCC will host public forums for candidates leading up to the election.

For more information about SFCC’s governing board, please visit sfcc.edu.


Santa Fe Community College celebrates its 40th Anniversary as the pathway to success for individuals and the community. SFCC provides affordable, high-quality programs that serve the academic, cultural, and economic needs of the community. The college welcomes over 10,000 students per year in credit, noncredit, workforce training, personal enrichment, and adult programs.
A “Best for Vets” and a “Military Friendly” school.

Visit sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1000.

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