7 p.m.

The polls have closed. Waiting for results.

6:36 p.m.

Polls close in 24 minutes. Julie McGee, a deputy clerk with the Eddy County Clerk’s office, said 622 people had voted at the sub-office in Artesia today.

4:25 p.m.

Polls close at 7 p.m. At Faith Baptist Church, 337 people had voted as of 4:10 p.m. said Sandra Polk, presiding judge.

“Turnout was really steady. We’ve had no issues. (It’s) been a good day,” she said.

Artesia resident Jennifer Duff voted at Faith Baptist Church.

“Having a say in what’s best for Artesia,” she said of her reason for voting.

1:45 p.m.

Another reminder to get out and vote today as the polls close at 7 p.m.

In Artesia, a mill levy for the hospital is on the ballot along with races in the Artesia Special Hospital District Board of Directors and Artesia Public Schools Board of Education.

11:35 a.m.

Forty-nine people have voted as of late morning at Trinity Temple Assembly of God.

“Usually, it’s slower than this,” said Beth Nailon presiding judge.

9:55 a.m.

Voting numbers so far at the polling locations in Artesia:

Eddy County Sub-Office 132

Faith Baptist Church 115

Trinity Temple 32

Central Valley Electric 70

Eddy County Clerk Cara Cooke said 11,782 Artesia residents are eligible to vote in the Artesia Special Hospital District and Artesia Public Schools Board of Education.

She said 663 Artesia residents voted early.

7:15 a.m.

Ten people showed up at Central Valley Electric in Artesia minutes after the polls opened.

“We really need people to get out and vote, it really matters,” said Teresa Saxon, presiding judge at Central Valley Electric.

Poll worker Leah Boone said she enjoyed seeing people and helping them with the voting process.

“Having the right to vote is important,” she said.

Artesia voters are going to the polls today to choose candidates for school board, hospital board and a mill levy for Artesia General Hospital.

In place since 1979, the mill levy is not a new tax and sets $2.70 per $1,000 of net taxable property value within the Artesia Special Hospital District, according to information from the Artesia General Hospital website.

One of the Artesia Special Hospital District Board of Director’s seats is up for grabs today as District 5 incumbent Karen Waldrip faces opposition from Perry Williams and David Romine.

She was first elected in 2021 and during the campaign she said she was running to continue progress made during the past four years.

Williams, an Artesia native and project lead for Conoco Phillips, said he was running due to an important need for timely and quality healthcare in Eddy County.

Romine, a retired rancher, construction worker and business consultant, said he was running due to lack of perceived transparency with the current board.

The other contested race in Artesia is for Artesia Public Schools Board of Education District 1 where incumbent David Conklin is being challenged by Dennis Garcia.

Polls close at 7 p.m. and voters can cast ballots at Faith Baptist Church, the Eddy County Sub-Office, Central Valley Electric and Trinity Temple Assembly of God.