City Asks County Clerk to Review Omitted GO Bond Questions

The City seeks a cooperative, fact-based resolution and does not prejudge fault or liability.

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. — City Manager Mario Juarez-Infante, PE, sent a letter on October 31, 2026 to Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin, Ph.D., asking for an investigation into why the City's three General Obligation Bond questions were left off the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.

The City is not assigning blame. State law gives the City, the County Clerk and the Secretary of State separate roles in placing local questions on the ballot. The City asked that the review trace each step, including any part the City played.

What the City asked for

A written timeline, with records, showing how the bond resolution was received, routed and handled for the ballot.
Findings on where the process broke down, including any City action or omission that contributed.
Lawful options to correct the omission, including the earliest possible special election, with steps, a schedule and costs.
Preservation of all related records, including emails, ballot versions and vendor communications.

Key dates

August 18, 2026City Council adopts Resolution 2026-85, which calls for three bond questions totaling $8,250,000.
August 21, 2026The County Clerk's Office receives and records the resolution (Receipt No. 1109394), 74 days before the election.
August 25, 2026State deadline for the City to file the resolution with the County Clerk (70 days before the election).
August 28, 2026State deadline for the County Clerk to certify local ballot questions to the Secretary of State (67 days before the election).
October 30, 2026The City confirms the questions are not on the ballot.
October 31, 2026The City sends its letter to the County Clerk.

The City asked the County Clerk's Office for an initial response by noon on November 2, 2026, preliminary findings within five business days and a final written report within ten business days.

The letter also states that if the review finds County actions caused the omission, the City reserves the right to seek reimbursement of documented, related costs, such as special election expenses, to the extent the law allows.

“We are government. We must learn from situations like this one, and we are all accountable.”
— Mario Juarez-Infante, PE, City Manager

Updates on the review and the special election will be posted at sunlandpark-nm.gov/go-bond.

Read the City's letter to the County Clerk (PDF)

Earlier statement · October 30, 2026

City of Sunland Park GO Bond Questions Will Not Appear on November 3 Ballot

City plans special election for spring 2027

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. — The three General Obligation Bond questions approved by the Sunland Park City Council will not appear on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. City staff confirmed the issue on October 30.

The City Council approved the questions in Resolution 2026-85 on August 18, 2026. City staff filed the resolution with the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office on August 21, 2026. The City has asked the County Clerk's Office for a full review of why the questions were not included.

The City is working with its bond counsel and financial advisor to bring the bond questions to voters at a special election in spring 2027. The date will be announced once it is set.

What this means for voters

The November 3 general election goes forward as scheduled. All other races and questions on the ballot are not affected.
Residents who have already voted do not need to take any action.
City mailers, posters and other materials listed the bond questions on the November 3 ballot. That information is out of date, and the City is updating it.
Updates on the special election will be posted at sunlandpark-nm.gov/go-bond.

“Residents were expecting to see these questions on their ballots, and we owe them a clear explanation. We are working to find out what happened and to give voters the chance to decide on these projects in the spring.”
— Mario Juarez-Infante, PE, City Manager

Resolution 2026-85 is available on the City's website.

View Resolution 2026-85 (PDF)

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