By ERNESTO CISNEROS

The Questa Independent School District is preparing for an unusual election cycle this coming November. Four seats will be up for grabs, leaving board member Juan Cisneros, who holds position 1, the lone member whose seat is safe for another two years.

Positions 2, 3, 4, and 5 are available in the 2021 election cycle. Interested candidates must reside in the Questa school district, which covers the general Questa area as well as the northern parts of Taos County. Upon filing for candidacy, your voter registration must be up-to-date with the appropriate addresses and information. Specific requirements and moral responsibilities can be found in detail on the New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) website at nmsba.org.

According to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website, candidacy filing dates are August 24 from 9 am to 5 pm and August 31 from 9 am to 5 pm for write-in candidacy. Interested candidates will file a Declaration of Candidacy which must be notarized along with an Affidavit of Designee for Filing if candidates are not filing the paperwork themselves. All forms must be turned in on the appropriate filing dates to the Bureau of Elections at the Taos County Clerk’s Office, located at 105 Albright Street. Candidacy on the November ballot may not be granted if candidates miss the filing deadlines.

A Declaration of Candidacy form and 2021 candidate manual can be found on the NMSBA website under resource center and documents. For specific information about this upcoming election or to seek help with filing, contact the Taos County Bureau of Elections at (575) 737-6400.