City of
Las Vegas
New Mexico
2025 Regular Local Election
City Charter Ballot Questions and Additional Information
The Regular Local Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Elective Offices to be Filled:
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Mayor (At-Large) 4-year term
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Councilor (Ward 2) 4-year term
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Councilor (Ward 3) 4-year term
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Councilor (Ward 4) Remainder of 4-year term
On June 8, 2022, the City of Las Vegas opted-into the Local Election Act (Ordinance 22-03) and is no longer responsible for running the election. San Miguel County conducts the election. The election of municipal officers will now occur in November of odd years and be combined with other non-partisan elections for local governing body members. The election changed from March of even-numbered years to November of odd-numbered years. The ordinance included a provision allowable by law to extend the terms of offices for municipal officers. The next election for the City of Las Vegas municipal officers will be held in November of 2025.
Candidate Filing Day will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. All candidates must file their Declaration of Candidacy with the San Miguel County Clerk between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the San Miguel County Clerk’s Office, at 500 W. National Avenue, Ste. 113.
Regular Local Election Candidate Information
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For information regarding the Regular Local Election visit the San Miguel County website - https://co.sanmiguel.nm.us/clerk/index.php#outer-35
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For additional information regarding the Regular Local Election visit the New Mexico Secretary of State website - https://www.sos.nm.gov/candidate-and-campaigns/how-to-become-a-candidate/2025-regular-local-election-candidate-information/
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New Mexico Secretary of State Voter Information Portal - https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/wheretovote.aspx
City Ordinance of Placement of Election Signs: §347-22 (G)
For information about the City of Las Vegas ordinance regarding the placement of election signs for upcoming elections, please see Chapter 347 of the Municipal Code. https://ecode360.com/14560288
Temporary Signs
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Includes any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvass, light fabric, cardboard, wall board, or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a short period of time only.
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(G) Political signs. Political signs or posters shall be permitted on private property only with the consent of the owner of the property. Political signs shall be allowed up to a total area of six square feet in a residential zone and up to 32 square feet for each sign in a nonresidential zone. Such signs shall not be permitted on any public structure or otherwise located within public lands or right-of-way. Political signs and posters shall not be displayed more than 60 days prior to or more than 15 days after an election to which they pertain.
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2025 City Charter Ballot Questions
Before You Continue: Important Information to Know
Note: This is a non-partisan campaign to provide clear, factual information about ballot questions. This information is not connected to any candidate or political effort.
What is a City Charter?
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A city charter is like a local constitution that governs how the city operates under state law. Las Vegas has a home rule charter, which allows for local control within state rules. The document ensures accountability within the municipal structure and promotes accountability by clearly defining the roles, responsibilities, and powers of various city officials and departments. As a result, it creates a transparent and organized system of governance that supports efficient public service delivery. Las Vegas follows a mayor-council form of government.
How often it the City Charter required to be updated?
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The City conducts a review of its charter every five years through an appointed independent commission composed of residents representing a cross-section of the community, along with a municipal law expert. The latest review has now been completed.
How many ballot questions are going to be the ballot for this year's local election?
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This year’s ballot includes 10 proposed amendments:
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Questions 1 through 8 would update language to comply with state law.
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Question 9 would double the city council from 4 to 8 members for dual ward representation.
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Question 10 proposes raising the annual pay for the mayor and council from $10,000 to $15,000 to attract more candidates.
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The goal of this campaign is to ensure voters are informed before voting, so they can choose what best represents the Las Vegas City Government. Voters will see the full text and vote “FOR” or “AGAINST.”
Question 1 – Resolution No. 25-31
GOVERNING BODY
Shall the City amend Article II of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Charter to require that the City Council consist of four members elected from four single-member districts; to specify appointment qualifications and election procedures; and to remove outdated redistricting principles and requirements that do not comply with the New Mexico Local Election Act?
Question 2 – Resolution No. 25-32
MAYOR
Shall the City amend Article III of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Charter to require the
Mayor and Mayoral appointees to meet the qualifications required by the New Mexico
Local Election Act; to specify that the Mayor’s four (4) year term commences with the
regular local election of November 2025; and to specify the circumstances and appointment
procedures in which a Mayor Pro Tempore will assume the role of the Mayor?
Question 3 – Resolution No. 25-33
MUNICIPAL COURT
Shall the City amend Article IV of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Charter to require that
municipal judge and municipal judge candidates meet the qualifications required by the
New Mexico Local Election Act, and be elected at-large within the City, to update the term
of office to commence with the regular municipal election, and to specify the circumstances
for vacancy appointment?
Question 4 – Resolution No. 25-34
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES
Shall the City amend Article V of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Charter to specify hiring
and removal practices for the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and Chief of Police
and procedures for vacancies and designation of the Acting City Manager.
Question 5 – Resolution No. 25-35
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Shall the City amend Article VI of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Charter to permit the
Governing Body, by ordinance, to establish committees composed solely of members of
the Governing Body, to specify removal procedures for members of permanent boards and
commissions, to require that advisory committees created by the Governing Body be
created by ordinance or resolution, and to require advisory committees to comply with the
New Mexico Open Meetings Act?
Question 6 – Resolution No. 25-36
CITY ELECTIONS
Shall the City amend Article VIII of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Charter to specify
the New Mexico Local Election Act, Sections 1-22-1, et seq., N.M.S.A. 1978 as amended,
as the authority over City elections, and establish the timelines for regular municipal
elections?
Question 7 – Resolution No. 25-37
CONFLICT OF INTEREST, ETHICS
Shall the City amend Article IX of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Charter to add Section
9.01, specifying the New Mexico Governmental Conduct Act as governing authority over
the City’s elected officials, appointees, board, commission, and committee members,
employees and all other representatives of the City covered by the Act; and to specify in
Section 9.02 that no elected officer shall hold any other partisan elected public office?
Question 8 – Resolution No. 25-38
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
Should the Las Vegas Municipal Charter Article X be amended to revise the effective date
of the Charter, and to edit two typographical errors?
Question 9 – Resolution No. 25-39
INCREASING COUNCILORS FROM FOUR TO EIGHT MEMBERS
Should the City amend the Las Vegas Municipal Charter Article II to require that the City
Council consist of eight members, elected from four dual-member districts, for terms of
four (4) years, with staggered terms of office between the two councilors from each district,
and detailing the positions up for election in November 2027?
Question 10 – Resolution No. 25-40
INCREASING MAYOR AND COUNCILOR COMPENSATION TO $15,000
Should the Las Vegas Municipal Charter Article II, Section 2.06 be amended to increase
the annual compensation for the Mayor and for each Councilor from ten thousand dollars
($10,000.00) to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00), each?