Representatives from the campaigns of Republican James “Jimbo” Williams, who was defeated in the race for state Senate District 28, and Republican Tom Shelley, who lost the Grant County Commission District 5 race, began Monday to inspect Grant County ballots and other voting materials impounded by court order at their request earlier this month.
In addition to votes in those two candidates’ races, their campaign representatives were also instructed to count ballots for the presidential election — which was certified by Electoral College voters in New Mexico and nationwide Monday.
According to an order from District Court Judge Jarod Hofacket, candidates and their representatives have the ability to inspect and duplicate all impounded ballots and ballot materials, including tally sheets, provisional ballots, accepted and rejected mail-in ballots, envelopes from mail-in ballots and absentee and mail-in ballot registers.
“I mean, they are looking at the actual ballots, so all the races are on there,” said Grant County Clerk Marisa Castrillo.
In addition to designees of the Republican candidates, representatives for the Democratic Party and the campaigns of Sen.-elect Siah Correa Hemphill and incumbent Commissioner Harry Browne were present during the inspection, as well as Castrillo and a staff member from her office.
With the help of the Republican Party of New Mexico, Donald Trump’s campaign also filed a lawsuit Monday against the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office, alleging the state violated both federal and state law by allowing the use of drop boxes for voters to turn in absentee ballots.