No Kings – Vote Early Event
Saturday 17, 2026
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Location: Albuquerque, NM (Exact venue provided 24 hours prior to registrants via New Mexico Democrats RSVP)
- Cost: Free admission / RSVP required
Featuring: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Former Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, Senator Martin Heinrich, Representative Melanie Stansbury, Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, Representative Gabe Vasquez, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Mark Kelly, and Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords!
Recap on the West Side NO KINGS VOTE EARLY Event
By Sue Wolinsky
A big thank you to the West Side Dems members who hosted and helped out at the WEST SIDE NO KINGS VOTE EARLY EVENT last Saturday. WSD Chair Dorothy Wilkinson and Ideas Team Chair Laurie Gould hosted the event through Mobilize US.
Key speaker was West Side State Sen. Harold Pope Jr. Check out the KOB-4 website for Dorothy’s interview
Others who helped were Lynn Sarkany, Nancy Wesemann, Mary Yuhaus, and Sam Wolinsky. Several members, including some of the WSD Speakers Bureau, shared why they are voting early. And thanks to everyone who showed up, who caravaned to the Petroglyph Plaza Voting Center, and who proudly encouraged voters to vote early — while standing more than 100’ away from the Voting Center. And most important of all — thanks to all who voted early on Saturday.
“When we arrived at the Petroglyph Plaza Voting Center, about 90% of the voting booths were in use. We had to look around to find an empty one. The poll workers said it was like that all day,” Dorothy said.
Approximately 30 persons attended the indoor event at the West Mesa Community Center, but over 100 persons had registered for the event. “While the turnout wasn’t what we’d hoped, everyone there was enthusiastic about voting early. Several members and others who saw our promotional info attended. The speeches were heartfelt and several drew applause from the audience,” according to Dorothy
“The highlight of the day was our caravan. Thanks to Sam Wolinsky for leading the parade with his decorated 1994 Mustang and to all who participated,” she said.
Holiday Thank You Lunch: November 21
(includes M’Tucci’s gift certificate raffle)
The monthly TGIF social hours have been suspended for the upcoming holidays.
Another Way to Help our West Side Candidates in New Mexico
West Side ABQ Phone Banks! · Democratic Party of New Mexico Sign up for virtual phone banking by contacting jayrainamontoya@nmdemocrats.org.
Script and calling software will be provided.
The West Side Challenge
Only 2 weekends left before November 3!
Sat., Oct. 24 Rep. Charlotte Little
Sat., Oct. 31 Rep. Charlottle Little
The West Side Challenge
What are YOU doing to elect Democrats?
5 Things About the West Side Challenge
- What We Are Doing. WSD is energizing our members to help get out the vote for our West Side Democratic candidates. We are coordinating with the candidates’ campaigns each week. In each weekly Calls to Action newsletter, we will identify the candidate(s) we will support on the following Saturday.
- How We Choose the Candidates Each Week. We, as WSD, are focusing on our West Side Democratic candidates. WSD has been instrumental in turning the West Side blue and we want to keep it that way! On the West Side, we have 6 candidates running for State Representative. Of the 6, 2 are running unopposed (Reps. Patricia Roybal Caballero and Yanira Gurrola); 4 have opponents (Reps. Eleanor Chavez, Joy Garratt, Cynthia Borrego, and Charlotte Little). Rep. Little’s race has been determined to be the most critical race. Her opponent, Republican David Adkins, is a former state representative on the West Side with strong community ties. Because of this, WSD has decided to focus most of our support to Rep. Little’s reelection campaign. We will also support our other West Side Democratic candidates who have opponents in the coming months. There is plenty of opportunity to support our candidates. You can find all their campaign websites in Local Election Connections.
- How the West Side Challenge Integrates with the DPNM Coordinated Campaign: The DPNM Coordinated Campaign (CC) focuses on NM Democratic candidates running in national races and state-level races. The CC has a dedicated field organizer for the West Side – Jayraina Montoya, who is located at the West Side CC Office, 6300 Riverside Plaza Ln, Suite 100. Contact her at 505-383-8652 or at jayrainamontoya@nmdemocrats.org.
- Who Is Coordinating the West Side Challenge? WSD Chair Dorothy Wilkinson (505-710-4945) is coordinating the weekly phone banking and WSD member Karlyne Nordholm is providing the call lists for the phone banking team. WSD Ideas Team Chair Laurie Gould (505-541-0533) is coordinating the weekly canvassing. Contact one of them to sign up.
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What You Get Out of It:
- The satisfaction of knowing you worked hard to keep the West Side and NM blue, and to flip the US Congress.
- For each 2 hours worked, your name gets entered into a raffle for a $50 gift certificate good at any of the M'Tucci's restaurants. The more you volunteer, the better your chance of winning.
Our exclusive monthly WSD Newsletter only goes to paid members.
If you haven’t paid your 2026 dues, go here to join or renew your membership online.
Lynn Sarkany is organizing the Speakers Bureau. Contact her at info@westsidedems.org.
Upcoming Meetings:
Holiday Thank You Lunch: November 21
(includes M’Tucci’s gift certificate raffle)
All meetings held 12:30-2:30,
at the West Mesa Community Center, 5500 Glenrio Rd. NW, 87105
Do you know who your state representative is?
Have you been canvassing or phonebanking or donating to help them win?
They are all running for (re)election on Nov. 3. With only a few days until the election (and early voting started on October 17), IT’S TIME TO STEP UP.
If you’re not sure who your representative is, click here to find out: Find My Legislator – New Mexico Legislature. Enter your address and decide how you want the info to be presented.
Here is the list of West Side Democratic State Legislators Running for Reelection in November. Find your representative, click on their website and volunteer! It’s that simple.
West Side Democratic Legislators
Running for Reelection in November
Sign-up now to volunteer!
(Go to website to learn more about the candidate and to volunteer)
NM Democratic Congressional Candidates with Districts on the West Side
Who are Running for Re-Election
Sign up to volunteer with Representative Melanie Stansbury · Democratic Party of New Mexico (Congressional District 1)
Gabe for Congress -
(Congressional District 2)
Ben Ray Luján for U.S. Senate
(US Senator, statewide)
Democratic Candidates for NM Statewide Offices
Support NM Democratic Candidates Who Will
Face Opponents in November
Find out about NM Democratic candidates who will face opposition in November. These candidates need your help to win. Blue Boosters for NM is a new activist/research group providing the information. Analysis provided by Indivisible ABQ and Santa Fe. Blue In NM — 2026 Candidates (Information from Indivisible ABQ.)
Help West Side Democratic Rep. Joy Garratt win reelection. Volunteer Saturday mornings until the November 3 election.
Text, call or email Karalyn 505-433-7495.
Recurring Local Protests
Albuquerque | Corner of Montgomery & Juan Tabo | 11am – 12pm
Rio Rancho | Corner of U.S. 550 & New Mexico 528 | 10am – 11:30am
Info and RSVP here.
(for LGBTQ+ adults and allies)
Albuquerque | Morningside Park | 10am – 11am
Info and RSVP here.
Albuquerque | Corner of 4th & Lomas | 9 to 10 am
Info and RSVP here.
Albuquerque | Corner of Montgomery & Juan Tabo | 11am – 12pm
Info and RSVP here.
Albuquerque | Corner of Paseo & Ventura | 12pm – 1pm
Info and RSVP here.
Santa Fe | Corner of Sandoval & West Alameda | 12pm – 1pm
Info and RSVP here.
Save our Elections in NM
Join Common Cause NM and the Election Protection coalition to protect NM elections from federal government overreach. Volunteers are nonpartisan. 2026 EP Field Volunteer Training Sign Up.
Tell Congress to stop funding Trump’s War on Iran. It’s escalating – again. Stop the National Defense Authorization Act in Congress.
ADD YOUR NAME: DEMAND THE SENATE VOTE DOWN THIS NDAA | VoteVets
No Illegal Partisan Attacks on Essential Programs
American Civil Liberties Union
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.