New Mexico Right to Vote

Challenge: The state of New Mexico’s primary election structure is a closed system that bars voters who are not affiliated with a major political party from casting a ballot. CWA Strategic Communications client Albuquerque attorney Edward J. Hollington and his client, independent voter David Crum, filed suit in District Court challenging the constitutionality and practicality of the state’s election code that prevents full participation in primary elections.

Approach: CWA Strategic Communications used local and statewide media to tell our clients’ story and educate the public about the more than 240,000 registered voters who are not permitted to participate in the state’s taxpayer-funded primary elections. CWA coordinated media interviews, op-eds, news releases, broadcast interviews and media training to ensure a clear message as to why the lawsuit was significant to the state’s elections system and why people should care. CWA also provided information for a Facebook page, New Mexico Right to Vote, that sought supporters for opening the state’s primaries.

Results: An issue that ultimately lies within the judicial system, CWA’s message/education campaign kicked off a statewide discussion that prompted newspaper editorials in the Albuquerque Journal and the Santa Fe New Mexican, letters to the editor, interviews on KKOB AM and KOB TV, and discussions over social media (including more than 4,500 “likes” on the New Mexico Right to Vote Facebook page) about the state’s elections code and social participation. The lawsuit is currently on appeal.

View Right to Vote Articles and Documents:
Albuquerque Journal Editorial
Albuquerque Journal Open Primary OpEd
Primary Election Press Release

Services: Public Relations, Media Training, Social Media, Public Affairs