Doña Ana County, NM
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Romance at the Rotunda
February 9, 2024
Welcome to season two of Preserving History and Democracy! This episode is all about Romance at the Rotunda, an annual event hosted by the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office in collaboration with the Probate of the County Clerk's Office on Valentine's Day. The event will allow couples to obtain their marriage license and to tie the knot at the Doña Ana County Government Center on the most romantic day of the year. Special guest, Kyanne Sherman talks to Caroline, Amanda and Cynthia about the importance of the event and how to get the process started.
Season Finale
November 3, 2023
Welcome to the season finale of Preserving History and Democracy! In this episode, Doña Ana County Clerk Dr. Amanda López Askin, Chief Deputy Clerk, Caroline Zamora, and Communications Coordinator, Cynthia Mendoza wrap up the first season of Preserving History and Democracy. First, they talk about their favorite episodes from the inaugural season, and how the podcast was made possible. Lastly, the ladies give the final update about the 2023 Regular Local Election before Election Day. You don't want to miss this episode!
The Armijo House
October 27, 2023
Welcome back to the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy! This episode is dedicated to one of the most historic homes in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the Armijo House! In this episode, Cynthia, Caroline, Angelica, and Bernardine sit down with special guest Cyndi Armijo from the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, to talk about the historic home. First, the ladies talk to Cyndi about her special connection to Nestor Armijo, one of the first owners of the home. Then, we go over the timeline of the home and discuss the restoration project that made it possible for the Chamber of Commerce to move in. Lastly, it wouldn't be October without some spooky tales! Cyndi tells us about some creepy happenings at the Armijo house and how you can tour the house.
Election Security Ft. Tina Barton and Justin Smith
October 23, 2023
Welcome to the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy! In this episode, County Clerk Dr. Amanda López Askin, Chief Deputy Clerk Caroline Zamora, and Communications Coordinator Cynthia Mendoza speak to Tina Barton and Justin Smith from the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections. Justin Smith is a former Sheriff of Larimer County, Colorado, with 35 years of law enforcement experience. Tina Barton is a senior Elections Expert with the Elections Group and has over 32 years of government experience serving at the federal, county, and local levels. First, the ladies play a voicemail that Barton received during her time serving as the City Clerk of Rochester Hills in Michigan, WARNING the voicemail is explicit and contains violent and disturbing language unsuitable for children. Then, the ladies talk to Barton and Smith about ways to keep election workers safe, including the five steps to a safer election. Finally, Barton and Smith discuss the importance of a strong relationship with local law enforcement.
Spooky Tales of Doña Ana County
October 13, 2023
Welcome to the creepiest episode of Preserving History and Democracy! This episode is all about some spooky folklore tales from Doña Ana. First, Cynthia, Caroline, and special guests Bernardine, Jacob and Angelica talk about some ghost tales in one of Mesilla's most beloved restaurants, the Double Eagle. Then, they discuss one of the oldest folklore tales in New Mexican culture, the story of la llorona! Finally, the hosts explore ghost tales from the old Doña Ana County Courthouse building and interview Angelica Valenzuela, who used to work at the building. The hosts also explore creepy encounters from the current Doña Ana County Government Center.
Election Updates Pt. 2
October 6, 2023
The 2023 Regular Local Election is almost here! In this episode, Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin, Chief Deputy Clerk Caroline Zamora, and Communications Coordinator Cynthia Mendoza talk about some important dates to keep in mind as a Doña Ana County voter. The ladies talk about early voting at the Doña Ana County Government Center as well as registration deadlines. Amanda, Caroline and Cynthia also talk about the importance of having a plan to vote in this election. Check out Dacelections.com to make your plan today!
Archives Bazaar 2023
Sept 29,2023
In the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy, Communications Coordinator, Cynthia Mendoza and editor Jacob Slaughter re-cap the 2023 Archives Bazaar! The annual event held by the Border Regional Archives Group brings several organizations together to showcase their collections of archives. Then, you'll hear some of the organizations talk about what they brought to the bazaar as well as what the archives mean to them.
Election Officials
Sep 22, 2023
This Episode of Preserving History and Democracy is all about election officials! Communications Coordinator Cynthia Mendoza, talks to Election Official Lead Karen Hernandez about what election officials do and why they are so important. Cynthia and Karen also recap National Voter Registration Day and inform listeners of the requirements to become an election official and where they can find more information on applying to become one!
National Voter Registration Day ft. Emily Burr
Sep 15, 2023
Meet our Voter Registration Lead, Emily Burr! In this episode, Cynthia and Caroline talk to Emily about her role at the Doña Ana County Clerk's office. The ladies also talk about National Voter Registration Day on September 19th and how the Clerk's office will be celebrating the big day. Next, the ladies discuss some highlights from the several voter registration drives at local High Schools that were held earlier this year. Lastly, the ladies talk about Same Day Registration and how to become a Voter Registration Agent!
Blackdom, NM: The Afro-Frontier
Sep 8, 2023
In this episode, Doña Ana County Clerk Dr. Amanda López Askin, Chief Deputy County Clerk Caroline Zamora, and County Clerk's Office Researcher Bernadine Caporale talk to Timothy E. Nelson, P.h.D., Author of Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier, 1900 - 1930. They discuss the importance of the Afro-Frontier, a term coined by Dr. Nelson, along with why Frank Boyer and Daniel Keyes chose Chaves County for the Blackdom Townsite, why some Blackdom families ultimately settled in Doña Ana County, and why sovereignty was the goal of the community.
Please send any questions or feedback to dacclerk@mogrenlandscape.com
To learn more about the Afro-Frontier and Dr. Timothy E. Nelson's work, visit http://afrofrontier.com
Filing Day Pt. 2
Sep 01, 2023
In this episode, Cynthia and Amanda re-cap Filing Day 2023! We'll also hear from some candidates who filed to be on the ballot for the 2023 Regular Local Election! You'll also hear Amanda and Cynthia discuss some more important dates coming up.
Keeping Track
Aug 25, 2023
In this episode, Cynthia, Caroline and Bernardine keep track of how Las Cruces grew! The ladies talk about how the invention of the railroad made its way to our area and how it impacted the city as we know it today.
10 Year Anniversary
Aug 18, 2023
On August 21st, 2013, the Doña Ana County Clerk's office began issuing Marriage Licenses to same-sex couples, thanks to former County Clerk, Lynn Ellins. In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, our Recording and Filing Supervisor, Angelica Valenzuela, reflects on a day that changed history.
Filing Day 2023
Aug 11, 2023
What is Filing Day? In this episode, Amanda and Cynthia talk about the importance of filing day and how it works. The ladies also provide some resources for questions on filing to be a candidate for the 2023 Regular Local Election.
Election Updates
Aug 4, 2023
In this episode, Cynthia and Caroline talk to Doreen Calzada, Election Staff Coordinator for the Bureau of Elections. Doreen updates us on some important upcoming dates, including filing day, and provides the official list of all Voting Convenience Centers for the 2023 Regular Local Elections.
The Faithists of Shalam Colony
Jul 28, 2023
In this episode, Cynthia, Caroline, and special guest, Bernardine, talk about some of the settlers less talked about here in Doña Ana County! This includes the Faithists of Shalam Colony. Who were the Faithists and what did we find in our vault to back up these stories? Plus, we talk about the Boers, a group from South Africa seeking refuge in Foreign Land, which included Doña Ana!
Meet Janice Giron
Jul 18, 2023
In the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy, Caroline and Cynthia talk to to Bureau of Elections Supervisor, Janice Giron. Janice tells us what goes into running elections and what she wants the community to know about her team.
The Interns Part 1
Jul 10, 2023
In this episode, Caroline and Cynthia talk to the Interns of the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office. We talk to the interns about growing up in the age of social media, misinforamtion, why their generation is less likely to vote and what they know about elections. Plus, we'll hear about their persepective on curent events! Join us next week for part 2 on what the interns learned during their internship.
All opinions expressed by podcast participants are their own and do not reflect the opinion of the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office or Doña Ana County.
The History Behind the Name
Jun 30, 2023
In this Episode Amanda, Caroline and Cynthia discuss why Doña Ana was named Doña Ana. They discuss the two most popular theories behind the name and why these names are still significant today.
Meet Angelica Valenzuela
Jun 23, 2023
In this Episode, Caroline and Cynthia introduce Recording and Filing Supervisor, Angelica Valenzuela. They talk about her role at the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office and some of her favorite moments in her career so far!
Introducing The Preserving History and Democracy Podcast
Jun 14, 2023
Welcome to the first episode of the Preserving History and Democracy Podcast by the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office! In this episode, County Clerk Amanda López Askin, Deputy Chief, Caroline Zamora and Communications Coordinator, Cynthia Mendoza introduce themselves and the podcast. We also talk about the role that the Clerk's office plays in the Doña Ana County Community and what the office has been up to lately!