New Signature, Qualifying Contribution Websites for 2021 Election Cycle Enable Covid-Safe Campaigns

ALBUQUERQUE – The City Clerk’s Office is launching two new websites to make collecting qualifying contributions for public financing and petition signatures for all candidates seeking to get on the ballot in the 2021 Regular Local Election more accessible in a pandemic.

City Clerk Ethan Watson said, “The creation of these new websites gives all candidates the tools to maximize public health while still fulfilling the requirements of the City Charter. Our modernized sites will allow candidates to collect the required petition signatures and public financing qualifying contributions electronically, alongside the traditional paper methods.”

All candidates will be able to collect petition signatures securely and electronically using the new website. For candidates seeking public financing, the City Clerk’s Office rebuilt the online qualifying contribution site that was first used in the 2019 election cycle as a pilot program. The website allows candidates to collect five-dollar contributions electronically from registered voters in the district or City for which they are seeking election.

These websites were built in collaboration with the Secretary of State’s Office. The sites will verify a voter’s registration against the Secretary of State’s voter registration database before allowing a donation or signature.

“I’m proud of this important collaboration between the City of Albuquerque and my office,” said Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. “These websites will make the process of qualifying for the ballot safer and more accessible for all potential candidates in Albuquerque elections. Tools like these are key in the ongoing process of modernizing our elections at all levels of government.”

These websites are offered as an additional means to collect qualifying contributions and petitions signatures, but candidates are still allowed to collect these in the traditional paper methods as well. The City Clerk’s Office encourages candidates to follow the State’s public health guidelines when doing so.

Throughout March and early April, the City Clerk’s Office will post educational information, helpful guidelines, and answer questions about the use of these sites for candidates who would like to make use of them for their campaign and residents interested in supporting their preferred candidates through these platforms.

Mayoral candidates seeking public financing can begin collecting qualifying contributions and petition signatures April 17. The period for Council candidates seeking public financing begins May 31. Privately financed candidates for Mayor may begin using the site to collect petition signatures on June 8 and privately financed candidates for City Council may begin using the site on July 6.

For more information, please visit cabq.gov/vote. The websites will be live beginning April 17.

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