This is Not Normal -  Ballots Cast in New Mexico Elections?

Frost McGahey, Investigative reporter

This is not normal! Watch Democrat's sign ripped away as Trump enters - Fox 2 Detroit

As President Trump walked down the aisle to give his Joint Speech to Congress, New Mexico Democrat Melanie Stansbury held up a sign. The President was shaking hands with Republicans, one of whom was Texas Congressman Lance Gooden.   

Stansbury’s sign was a handmade piece of paper that read ‘This Is Not Normal'.  She held it right behind the President’s head.

After President Trump passed, The Texan Republican snatched Stansbury’s sign and tossed it into the air. He said, “No one disrespects the President in front of me.”

“This is Not Normal” could apply to the number of ballots cast in New Mexico in the last three presidential elections.

In a previous article of the Grant County Beat*, a source quoted, “Governor Grisham had planned on joining the Harris Administration in D.C. after the election. She was shocked when Trump won.”*

Based on New Mexico voting outcomes, her shock is understandable. 

In 2012 when NM had the last Republican Secretary of State, there were 783,757 ballots cast in the presidential election. In 2024, there were 928,290, an increase of 144,533 under the Democrat Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver.**

This is not due to an increase in the eligible voting population. There were 1,568,320 adults in 2012 and 1,567,864 in 2024.  A net loss of -456.

Although New Mexico’s population had increased in the intervening years, the number of residents under 18 also had increased to 26.4% in 2024 from 24.6% in 2012.***

Despite all the show of support in Grant County for Trump with signs, bumper stickers, and car parades, his election results only increased by 27 votes. ****

*Did Trump’s winning spark Santa Fe’s attacks on Dr. Shepard? (grantcountybeat.com)

**Election Results 2024 | Maggie Toulouse Oliver - New Mexico Secretary of State (nm.gov)

***U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: New Mexico

****Trump increases ballot count from 2020 in Grant County by only 27 votes. (grantcountybeat.com)