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SWOP, NAVA and ‘King’s Dream Team’ Mobilizing, Educating Voters in New Mexico; Groups Bucking Trend of Negative Advertising

Campaign for a Better New Mexico a nonpartisan, nonprofit effort of SWOP

New Mexico – SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP), Native American Voters Alliance and 'King’s Dream Team' are canvassing door-to-door and calling their neighbors in Bernalillo County and Southeastern New Mexico to get voters out to the polls on Tuesday.

The groups say it’s important for historically unrepresented and disenfranchised communities to get out and vote this election season.

Voters of color in Ohio, Florida and New Mexico were less likely to have their votes for president count than their white counterparts during the 2004 Election.

"We want people to get out and vote, despite the negative tone of party politics and candidates," says Victoria Rodriguez, SWOP Lead Organizer. "We didn't give up when they refused to serve people at the lunch counter. And we didn't give up when people were sent to the back of the bus. We believe in the Voting Rights Act, a centerpiece of the civil rights movement-that's why we are going to the polls on Tuesday."

“The Native American Voters Alliance calls on the Native American community to raise its voice and get out the Native vote. It is our opportunity to voice our concerns about the issues impacting our community,” says Milton Bluehouse Jr., Executive Director SAGE Council.

The groups say the negative ads by the parties and special interests suppress the vote of people turned off by the desperation in politics today.

“Our message is about hope, opportunity and justice for our communities,” says Rey Garduno, a volunteer for SWOP.

Along with a ground game, SWOP's radio and direct mail campaign has focused on Carlsbad, Roswell, Hobbs, Loving, Artesia and Bernalillo County to get out their message of assured health care for everyone, better wages and schools and putting politics back in the hands of people through elections reform.

SWOP, NAVA and the King's Dream Team, a group of mostly highschoolers from Carlsbad, are hooking up to get out their message to residents who are often left out of the debate.

“Our ‘I Love New Mexico’ signs are popping up everywhere,” says Joaquin Lujan, a SWOP statewide field organizer who lives in Polvadera, NM. “Everyone knows there are problems everywhere. We want to do something about it, and people are listening.”

Go to BetterNM.com and listen to the radio ads and see the mailers.
For additional information on Native American Voting Alliance, go to sagecouncil.org.

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