Doña Ana County approves $60,000 to buy multi‑use mobile voting unit

Doña Ana County commissioners on Feb. 24 approved a $60,000 budget revision and resolution to purchase a mobile multi‑use voting unit intended for election operations, emergency deployments and community outreach.

County Clerk Dr. Lopez Askin told the board the vehicle — which she described as a "multi use mobile unit" — grew from concerns after a flood damaged operations and from national efforts to treat elections as critical infrastructure. "It's really gonna be hopefully used for in emergencies," she said, adding it would support voter education and record‑keeping as well as be available during election periods.

The board’s approval, recorded as Resolution 2026‑29, came after commissioners asked about staffing, ballot security and scheduling. Commissioner Chaparro asked whether the vehicle will be publicized and scheduled in advance so residents in outlying communities know when it will arrive. Dr. Askin said the office will publicize stops via social media and county communications and work with commissioners to reach constituents, and she said the office would ‘‘overcommunicate availability because we want it used.’'

Commissioner Kimball raised ballot‑security concerns, asking how the office would prevent "ballot stuffing." Dr. Askin said the county already operates nine monitored ballot drop boxes with video surveillance, sensors and sealed openings and that staff are exploring camera outfitting for the mobile unit. "There's accounting of each of those ballots as they move in," she said.

Board members also discussed broader uses. Commissioner Chaparro asked about cross‑department use for services such as tax payments; Dr. Askin said the office is open to partnering with the assessor and treasurer and could explore shared staffing and scheduling.

The resolution passed by roll call vote with a unanimous 5‑0 tally. The commission did not adopt an operational schedule or final staffing plan in the Feb. 24 action; commissioners requested staff return with additional details during the implementation process.

What’s next: The clerk said she hopes to secure and customize the vehicle within about six months if funding and procurement timelines proceed on schedule. The board did not amend the resolution to add binding operational requirements; any future changes to staffing, ballot handling or routes will be brought back to the commission as needed.