Voter turnout in Taos County’s 2025 local election reached just 25.73%, with 6,733 of the county’s 26,161 eligible voters casting ballots, according to unofficial results released by the Secretary of State’s Office.
In Red River, one of the tightest races of the election saw Justin Brandenburg and Angela Howles-Black win for Town Council. A total of 384 voters participated in Red River’s municipal election, which saw a notably higher turnout than the county average. Of the town’s 764 registered voters, 50.26% cast ballots.
In the Questa Independent School District race, Jason Rael, Michael Cordova, and Valerie Vigil won the three open school board seats. Incumbent Jose Lovato lost to Vigil by 61 votes. Turnout for the Questa school board race was 39.64%, with 1,630 ballots cast out of 4,111 registered voters across Questa, Amalia, Costilla, Cerro, and Red River’s Precinct 7. Red River voters are included in this race because the Red River Charter School operates under the Questa district.
In uncontested local races, Questa Municipal Judge Michael Rael received 271 votes and will remain in office, while Red River Municipal Judge candidate Cimmaron Dugas, also unopposed, earned 169 votes.
Incumbent Questa Council Member Brent Jaramillo secured another term with 289 votes, running unopposed. Daryl Ortega, also unopposed, received 105 votes and will replace Councilwoman Katrina Gonzales, who did not seek reelection.
Countywide, voters approved the Holy Cross Hospital Mill Levy, with 5,117 voting in favor and 1,495 opposed. The measure will increase property taxes by $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value, meaning a homeowner with a $100,000 taxable property will pay roughly $100 more annually.
In Questa, two ballot measures tied to local education passed comfortably. Voters approved a $13 million General Obligation Bond for the Questa Independent School District, allowing the district to issue bonds to fund major building renovations. The measure passed with 624 votes in favor and 225 against.
The Capital Improvements Tax Act—a continuation of an existing two-mill property tax—also passed, with 540 voters in favor and 195 opposed. The measure funds capital improvements at Questa schools, Roots and Wings Community School, and Red River Valley Charter School.
Voting remains a cornerstone of democracy across the nation. This election underscores how your single action to make your voice heard at the polls could change an entire outcome of an election. Your voice matters in forming local, statewide and national government. According to the great John Lewis, “the vote is precious, it is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society, and we have to use it.”
not photographed Daryl Ortega
