I am Karen Montoya, a proud Democrat, and I am delighted to introduce myself as a candidate for Bernalillo County clerk.

With over 25 years of dedicated public service, I am deeply committed to foster transparency, fairness and inclusivity in our community. Today, I present to you a vision for the future, a future where the voice of every resident resonates, where every vote carries weight, and where every member of our community is honored with dignity and respect.

My journey in public service began at the Bernalillo County Assessor’s Office as a commercial and residential appraiser. I dedicated myself to fair and equitable assessments.

Over the years, I worked tirelessly to ensure that every individual received equitable treatment and fair resolution of valuation disputes. I then went on to work at the State Property Tax Division as a senior appraiser. I did review appraisals for the State Board of Finance, and was the chair of the County Valuation Protest Board. I stood firm in my commitment to fairness and integrity.

From 2007 to 2013, I had the privilege of serving as your Bernalillo County assessor, where I focused on modernizing operations and implementing fair property assessments for all residents. I also fought against tax lightning.

I served as the chair of the New Mexico Association of Counties property tax task force. The subject was tax lightning. I also served as vice chair of the assessor’s affiliate. My goal was to create an environment where every taxpayer felt confident in the integrity of our tax system.

Following my tenure as assessor, I served as a commissioner at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, advocating for consumer rights and sustainable energy solutions. I fought to protect the interests of consumers and promote policies that would lead to a more sustainable future for our state.

Now, as a candidate for Bernalillo County clerk, I bring with me a wealth of experience and a clear vision for our county’s governance. While fair and transparent elections remain a cornerstone of our democracy, I recognize the multifaceted responsibilities of the Clerk’s Office. Beyond elections, I am committed to fostering efficiency and accessibility in managing property deeds and other vital records essential for our community’s functioning.

In addition to ensuring fair and inclusive elections, I am dedicated to bringing a fair and equal working environment to the County Clerk’s Office. I believe that every team member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and I am committed to fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion.

One of the key initiatives of my campaign is implementing a “quiet hour” during early voting, providing individuals with autism and sensory issues a calm, sensory-friendly environment in which to cast their ballots. This dedicated time will feature dimmed lighting, minimal noise, and trained staff members available to assist voters with special needs.

Additionally, sensory-friendly voting booths with adjustable seating and other accommodations will be provided to ensure a comfortable and accessible voting experience for all. By prioritizing inclusivity in our electoral process, we can ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to participate in our democracy with ease and dignity.

I am not just asking for your vote — I am asking for your trust. Together, we can build a future where fairness and inclusivity are the hallmarks of our electoral system and our workplace culture. I invite you to learn more about my campaign and join me in this important journey toward a more equitable and democratic Bernalillo County.

Thank you for your support and consideration.

-Albuquerque Journal 5/1/2024

Sensory-friendly voting booths would enhance access to the polls