Governor responds to Rio Rancho voter lines

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - Gov. Susana Martinez, battling for more support in the Legislature, appeared in Rio Rancho late Tuesday to encourage voters to endure unusually long lines and waits and cast their ballots.

Waits of two hours were reportedly common during the day with only five polling centers open in New Mexico's third-largest city.

In a live interview with KRQE News 13's Dick Knipfing, the Republican governor declined to take a swipe at Sandoval County Clerk Sally Padilla, a Democrat, who was responsible for setting up voting centers around the county.

"I know it's a Republican area, but whether it happened here or it happened in Taos, I'd be there if we had this kind of a problem," she told Knipfing.

Bernalillo, the county seat, has 1/10 the population of Rio Rancho but had only one fewer voting machines, Martinez said.

Martinez issued on on-air plea for anyone who had not yet voted to come out and get in line.  Under state law anyone in line at when the polls close at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote regardless of how long it takes.

Water and pizza will be provided, she added.