Dialogue between Joan, Commissioner Reynolds and the County Clerk. If you dont like the responses from the elected officials, GET INTO ACTION and use some of the “talking points” below….
Commissioner Reynolds,
This is very frustrating to me because if there are surveillance cameras, it seems to be a secret as to who is monitoring them, and even more frustrating when it is not readily viewable by the public. Or is the surveillance provision in the code for cosmetic purposes only? The impression is that it’s half of an effort to indicate to the public that there’s transparency, but not so willing to let anyone see it? So closely guarded is the transparency.
I hate to not be so trusting as to need to ask the question, “Are the boxes actually empty at 12:00 midnight, October 10, 2022.” Also, “Who are watching the U.S.P.S. personnel when there are no requirements in the code for a chain of custody when mail-in ballots are allowed?”
As you can guess, the concerned citizens of the public will be making their best effort to watch the boxes and vulnerable points in the election process during the general election.
Regards,
Joan E. Scherer(575) 649-8970
From: Shannon Reynolds <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2022 8:15 AM
To: JOAN SCHERER <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: 24/7 ABSENTEE BALLOT SECURED DROP BOX SURVEILLANCE VIDEOS Joan,
I know for a fact that we do not have the bandwidth for live streaming from most of our voting locations.
We, the Commissioners would have to authorize the cost to do that. I have been requesting the bandwidth to our facilities, for the last four years.
The IT department has supposedly been investigating it for years. I believe we are getting there. Maybe, next year.
I believe we do have recordings from the cameras, but that is the function of IT and facilities.
Shannon
Shannon Reynolds
On Fri, Oct 7, 2022, 8:06 AM JOAN SCHERER <[email protected]> wrote:
Begin forwarded message:
Subject:Fwd: 24/7 ABSENTEE BALLOT SECURED DROP BOX SURVEILLANCE VIDEOS
Hide original message Did we expect any other answer?
When this was asked in advance of the 2021 election, it was also denied and then when IPRA’d, the claim was the recordings didn’t exist. Wonder why we are not trusting?
Sincerely,
Joan E. Scherer, CPC, QKC, QPA, QKA, ERPA
Begin forwarded message:
From: Amanda López Askin <[email protected]>
Date: October 6, 2022 at 4:47:19 PM MDT
To: JOAN SCHERER <[email protected]>
Subject:RE: 24/7 ABSENTEE BALLOT SECURED DROP BOX SURVEILLANCE VIDEOS
Joan,
There have been no provisions in law for a “livestreaming” of our secured containers and so there has been no subsequent planning, budgeting, or implementation for your suggestion. If this is something you believe is needed, feel free to advocate for them with your legislators, who craft and pass election law.
Additionally, here is a helpful link for on administrative rules and information about absentee ballot retrieval, please note:
TITLE 1 GENERAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 10 ELECTIONS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS
PART 19 SECURED CONTAINERS
1.10.19.13
https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title01/01.010.0019.html
Amanda
Amanda López Askin, Ph.D.
Doña Ana County Clerk
Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office
845 N. Motel Blvd.
Las Cruces, NM 88007
575.647.7421
575.525.6134
Dear Dr. Askins,
I thank you for expressing your concern for election integrity and voicing your concern that we who have doubts in the ability to trust the system, have nothing to worry about in the interest of election integrity. Therefore, knowing that you, as County Clerk, are responsible for providing required camera surveillance, would in good faith show some of the much-needed transparency we so desperately crave and consider livestreaming the 24/7 secured ballot box camera video for all 9 locations of the remotely surveilled secured ballot boxes throughout the 25 days of early voting, from October 11, through November 5, 2022?
Additionally, if you could answer a question: When/How often are these 24/7 secured ballot boxes emptied and what is the chain of custody from the point in time when the contents of the boxes are removed to the point the ballots arrive at the warehouse and are finally opened on election day for counting.
We, of the fearful public, respectfully ask that you consider what seems to be so easy a decision as to show transparency by providing us with a favorable answer to livestreaming as well as informing us on the matter of who has access to the ballots, and who has the responsibility of those ballots until counted.
Thank you for your time in advance,
Joan E. Scherer
(575) 649-8970
