73-14-24: Time and procedure for election; rule adoption; election director; election proclamation.

A. On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May prior to the middle Rio Grande conservancy district election, an election proclamation shall be published that includes a list of the offices for which a candidate may file, the date and place at which declarations of candidacy shall be filed and the date of the election. The election proclamation shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the counties in which the election shall be held.

B. The members of the boards of directors created pursuant to provisions of Sections 73-14-18 through 73-14-30 NMSA 1978 shall be elected at an election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in October in 2025 and in each odd-numbered year thereafter.

C. The elections for the members of the board of directors of the conservancy district shall be conducted, counted and canvassed as provided in Sections 73-14-18 through 73-14-30 NMSA 1978 and shall not be governed by or subject to the provisions of the Local Election Act [Chapter 1, Article 22 NMSA 1978]. The polls may be opened and closed in the same manner as provided for the general election under the Election Code [Chapter 1 NMSA 1978].

D. The board of directors shall adopt procedures as necessary to conduct elections.