GOOD TROUBLE
There’s lots to protest and learn this week. We encourage you to join your fellow Democrats, speak up and get involved.
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Stop the PNM-Blackstone Merger: Learn about two key events you can participate in TODAY.
Read "Two Actions to Stop PNM-Blackstone Merger." -
May Day 2026: The national protest is tomorrow, May 1. Join us at Civic Plaza in ABQ or at one of the four other events across New Mexico. WSD needs your help at Civic Plaza!
View Event Details → -
June 4 Primary: Voting kicks off next Tuesday! Stay informed and prepared.
It’s Primary Season
Candidates are reaching out to voters and donors. Campaigns are sparring for air time. Endorsements are rolling in. Early voting starts May 5 — so soon. Are you registered to vote? Is your registration current? Can you encourage others to register? Do you know the candidates? Do you know the voting time frame and voting locations?
This week’s Calls to Action includes new event and endorsement announcements from our candidates, two events hosted by our Democratic Party of Bernalillo County (DPBC) and handy information about voting in the June 2 Primary Election. This Calls to Action gives you plenty of opportunities to learn and to get involved.
May Day
Protest – Tomorrow, Friday, May 1
MAY DAY PROTEST
By Sue Wolinsky
The big MAY DAY PROTEST in Albuquerque is this Friday at Civic Plaza. It is expected to be bigger than the May Day protest held here last year. A protest was also held in Santa Fe last year. WSD is supporting this event.
“West Side Dems is supporting this community action wholeheartedly,” said WSD Chair Dorothy Wilkinson.“ We will be hosting a WSD table where protestors can learn about the good work that we do. We need a few volunteers to help out at the table. Contact me here if you can help.
We also encourage our members to participate in any way they can.In the spirit of MAY DAY 2026, we have canceled our May TGIF (scheduled for May 1). Join us in next time in June. Read more HERE.
This Saturday, May 2
County Party Meeting this Saturday, May 2. Get candidate information to share in your neighborhood, precinct or ward.
Local Actions You Can Take Now
Two Actions to Stop PNM-Blackstone Merger – TODAY!
- Virtual Hearing: Attorney General Raul Torres will hold a virtual hearing regarding PNM’s energy stock sale to Blackstone on Friday, April 30 at 9 am. He has concerns about the legality of the stock sale. The virtual meeting will be available on the PNM YouTube account page. Click here for the link.
- Public Comment Hearing: PNM’s proposed Blackstone merger is still on the table, and ratepayers are pushing back. Join the action at the PNM Building (414 Silver SW) and bring your PNM bill. After months of comments, letters, and PRC testimony, we’re taking the message straight to PNM. (From Indivisible ABQ)
NM ACLU—Protect Yourself When Protesting
Know Your Rights when ICE comes to call or when protesting.
Here is a list of ways to protect yourself, as discussed at the WSD April meeting.
National Actions You Can Take
Americans of Conscience Checklist: April 24, 2026 – Americans of Conscience – Get ready to vote and protect children’s rights.
Take Action—Common Cause: a variety of issues you can protest.
Upcoming Event
NM PRIMARY ELECTION INFO
This section of our weekly newsletter provides information about our upcoming June 2 primary election. Two key voting dates occur next Tuesday: early voting starts and it is the deadline for not-in-person voter registration. See details below.
NEW! NM Semi-Open Primaries are Making History
Learn why and how this affects all voters.
(This is one article in a series of articles that explains the significance and history of this landmark voting initiative that will occur at this June 2 primary election.)
The June 2 NM Primary will be the first time NM voters will be voting in a semi-open primary. This opens the primary election process to previously disenfranchised voters.
Check Out New Video
NM Voters First has created a new 30-second video that explains our new primary voting process. Watch it! Share it here with friends! Learn more at their website here.
This graphic explains the new semi-open primary process in New Mexico. Click here to see who is running for which office. After you understand it, please share this information with other voters.
Click on NMVote.org to find:
- Where to register to vote
- My registration & Election Info
- Voting locations
- Request an absentee ballot
- Voting dates
Key Dates to Know
When to vote, where to vote
- May 5 Early voting begins at County Clerk Offices
- May 5 Deadline for voter registration by mail, by voter registration agent, and online. (Note: in-person, same-day voter registration is available throughout early voting and on election day.)
- May 16 More early voting sites open
- May 19 Last day to request mail-in vote ballot
- May 30 Early voting ends at all locations
- June 2 Election Day – polls open 7 am – 7 pm
- June 2 All mailed ballots must be returned by 7 pm
Pancake Breakfast! Sunday, May 3rd with Damian Lara, Bernalillo County Assessor.
10:30 AM until Noon, on Sunday, May 3.
State Sen. Linda Lopez, State Sen. Katy Duhigg, Bernalillo County Commissioner Frank Baca, Former Bernalillo County Treasurer Orlando Vigil and Lydia Vigil, Irene Kersting and Albert Chavez, Toni Martorelli and David Duhigg invite you to flip for a good cause.
Come by, enjoy breakfast and meet Damian Lara, our Democrat County Assessor. Then, we hope you will vote and help us bring home a win (and maybe a bacon strip or two) on June 2. Donations welome but not required.
Keep Up the Momentum
After No Kings Day – Actions you can take (join local advocacy groups, run for office, join the Economic Boycott, become a voter registrar or poll watcher, contribute to Mutual Aid in ABQ. Also listen to Stacey Abrams’ inspiring 10-step plan of action to retake our democracy (from her speech at the ABQ No Kings Protest III).
Meet & Greet to support the re-election of Damian Lara May 23
Click here to read Damian’s Op Ed in the ABQ Journal.
Two Actions to Stop the PNM-Blackstone Merger
Attend the Virtual Hearing: Attorney General Raul Torres will hold a virtual hearing regarding PNM’s energy stock sale to Blackstone on Friday, April 30 at 9 am. He has concerns about the legality of the stock sale. The virtual meeting will be available on the PNM YouTube account page. Click here for the link.
Public Comment Hearing: PNM’s proposed Blackstone merger is still on the table, and ratepayers are pushing back. Join the action at the PNM Building (414 Silver SW) and bring your PNM bill. After months of comments, letters, and PRC testimony, we’re taking the message straight to PNM. (From Indivisible ABQ)
Ongoing Protests
Local Resources
Democratic Party of NM – Participate in the DPNM No Talk without Action volunteer teams.
Print your own NO ICE HERE sign – No ICE Access.pdf (Google Drive) (Courtesy of Indivisible ABQ)
Weekly Demonstrations
Saturdays | 11am – 12pm
RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Albuquerque | Corner of Montgomery & Juan Tabo
Saturdays | 10am – 11:30am
RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Rio Rancho | Corner of U.S. 550 & NM 528
Info and RSVP here →
Saturdays | 2pm – 3pm
FREE MARTIAL ARTS SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
(for LGBTQ+ adults and allies)
Albuquerque | Morningside Park
Info and RSVP here →
Sundays | 10:30am – 11:30am
SOLIDARITY SUNDAY
Tijeras | East Mountain Public Library
IRAN WAR LIVE UPDATES
TAKE ACTION
Tell Congress: No illegal war with Iran.
News from Candidates / Calls to Action
New Sound System Arrives
At last—we have our new sound system.
We’ve been hearing about it for about a year – the limitations of the undersized current system, Executive Committee approval of an initial $1,000 to pay for a new one, the early attempts of small-change fundraising, updated needs analysis and cost, more serious fundraising, and some major donations.
“I’m thrilled we have the new sound system,” said Paul Evans, WSD volunteer A/V coordinator who did the needs analysis for the new system. “It will help WSD to continue our fight for our values on the West Side of town – at venues large and small. For small events, we can use the small speaker we already had. For big events, we can use the new, larger speakers.” He also recommended that WSD buy a cart to haul the system and bags to protect the speakers.
It all adds up to $2392.45 with two large speakers and two beefy microphones that will incorporate some components of our old system. Here’s how we paid for it:
- We budgeted $1,000 from our budget.
- We collected $1,100 from the DPBC and some area legislators, and we have $300 promised from area legislators. We will collect the remainder now that the 2026 Legislative Session has ended.
Audio/Visual Volunteers Needed Now
Paul Evans with the new sound system.
“Now that we have a larger sound system, we need help to run it... We also need someone to help me with the visual side by editing video footage,” Evans explained.
Contact Paul Evans at info@westsidedem.org to apply. Your “pay” is our gratitude and helping elect candidates who reflect our values!
Audio Technician
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot sound equipment.
- Handle and transport heavy equipment.
- Team player supporting WSD’s mission.
Video Technician
- Edit short-form video for social media.
- Collaborate on footage needs and deadlines.
- Support WSD's digital messaging goals.
Paul Evans — Our A/V Mastermind
How did WSD lure an A/V expert with 40 years of experience?
The answer is simple: Recruit an expert who aligns with your values.
“I feel our democracy is at stake. Each of us needs to step up. We hold the keys. If we don’t do it, nobody will.”
5 Things About Paul Evans
- Roots: Raised in St. Paul, MN. He is deeply concerned about civil rights and believes we must protect our community locally.
- NM Journey: Came to NM in 1984. Amassed ~40 years in professional TV news and government videography.
- History Maker: Covered state government under four governors and visits from the Dalai Lama and various Presidents.
- Producer: Produced "Wild New Mexico" and the popular "Dance! Dance! Dance!" teen program.
- At the Meeting: See him behind the camera at WSD meetings and be sure to thank him for all he does!
Our Mission
To Serve the 88,000 Democrats
Living on the West Side
Democrats Care!
We encourage and support candidates who will work for the good of everyone in our community. We believe in a government that is truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people”…not just for corporations, Wall Street, or the rich.
United By A Common Goal…
Social justice and human rights are more important than corporate profits. We seek to improve the quality of life for all of our residents through grass-roots support of candidates who listen and work to implement liberal programs and legislation.
Get Involved…
Your candidates can’t win without your help. Canvassing, phone banking, word-of-mouth, volunteering, and donating are all ways to work together to achieve our common goals.