Voting and the U.S. mail, La Jornada Controversy, Virtual Life During COVID

As the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Valencia County Peggy Carabajal are working to ensure New Mexicans will have confidence in the November election. NMiF’s senior producer Matt Grubs talks with them about the national controversy over the role the U.S. mail will play in November’s election. It’s part of the Your NM Government Project, a partnership with KUNM Radio and the Santa Fe Reporter newspaper. Controversial statues, such as those of confederate leaders or, especially here in New Mexico, of Spanish conquistadors, have sparked protests for years - and especially now. In Albuquerque, the issue came to a head back in June after a protest at La Jornada, a sculpture in Old Town that features conquistador Juan de Oñate, turned violent. The city ended up pulling that statue down temporarily in the hope of avoiding more demonstrations.  NMiF correspondent Gwyneth Doland got an update this week on Albuquerque’s new approach and how they are seeking input on what to do with La Jornadagoing forward. Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel respond to the interview on voting and give their insights and opinions on the expected avalanche of mail-in ballots for the November elections.  They also discuss holding major events, like the State Fair and the burning of Zozobra, virtually. They wrap up their turn at the virtual Line table with a discussion on the benchmarks in the COVID fight here in New Mexico, and what it might mean for reopenings, especially of schools.