Tuesday's Democratic caucus will mark a historical moment in New Mexico's history as its residents will be on the frontline of deciding who the next Democratic presidential candidate will be for the first time.
However, thousands of important votes might not get cast because UNM will not give its more than 5,000 staff members time off to participate in the state's first caucus.
Susan Carkeek, associate vice president of UNM's Human Resources Department, said state law requires public institutions to allow their employees time off to participate in official elections, but it leaves the decision regarding party-sponsored events up to the individual institutions.
"We just didn't think it met the University's criteria for allowing time off," she said. "Basically, it was a judgment call."
Other universities in New Mexico appear to see the situation differently.
NMSU, New Mexico's second largest university, as well as Highlands and Eastern universities, are providing time for their staff to vote in the caucus.
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Harry Norton, a member of United Staff-UNM, said while it is a minor inconvenience, he thinks many University staff members would have appreciated having time off to participate in the vote.
"It really would have shown some good faith on the part of the University to afford us that opportunity," he said.
The city's polling location hours have been extended until 7 p.m. that day to accommodate people whose schedules keep them occupied until 5 p.m., said Apryl Sandoval, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Democratic Party.
Carkeek said while the University has opted not to allow any free time to its staff members, it is always willing to work with individuals whose work schedules keep them until late in the day.
Many staff members who admit the inconvenience of having to rush to the polls after work Tuesday, say they understand the University's stance on the subject.
"It will make things a little bit difficult for people wanting to participate in the caucus, but I understand where UNM's officials are coming from," said Lhyv Oakwomon, an administrative assistant at the University. "People who are adamant about casting their vote will find a way to do so no matter what."
In an official statement, the Democratic Party said it understands Tuesday's caucus is not an official election and respects the University's decision not to give its staff any time off to participate.
"We simply hope that New Mexico's Democrats find the time to get to the polls by whatever means necessary that day," the group said in the statement.
