by Katy Knapp
Daily Lobo
For five hours, in a little room at his campaign headquarters, Eric Griego was busy making phone calls.
He was calling undecided voters on Monday trying to sway their decision for today's election.
"People like the fact that mayor candidates take the time to talk to them," he said while taking a break. "They want to know the person they elect cares enough to make it personal. It's not all just about TV commercials."
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All the candidates and their volunteers were busy trying to persuade last-minute voters.
Some volunteers at the Griego camp were making posters to hold on street corners and polling stations Tuesday. Others were out knocking on doors and calling a long list of registered voters to push for their candidate.
"There's constant motion around here," said Heather Brewer, spokeswoman for the Griego campaign.
She said there were about 60 volunteers, and more were expected on election day.
The county clerk's office, which keeps a database on registered voters within Albuquerque, reported 281,889 registered voters in the city.
Griego, who said he plans on staying involved in the community by teaching and volunteering for his neighborhood association if he loses, said student voter turnout could make a difference in the race.
"If they vote in high numbers, they'll decide the election," he said. "I hope everyone remembers to vote because it's not just about leadership; it's about the role of young people to help pick a different mayor."
Mayor Martin Ch†vez's headquarters was also swarming with dozens of volunteers who were calling potential voters, making signs and putting together informational packets to hand out at polling locations.
He was doing more than just campaigning Monday, he said.
"I've just been all over the place," he said. "I was out on the corner of Monta§o and Coors and had to take my daughter in for a medical appointment."
Tony Pedroncelli, deputy campaign manager for Ch†vez, said at last count there were 600 volunteers registered to help the mayor get re-elected. At any given time, he said, there could be between 40 and 200 volunteering.
"They're either here at the headquarters or out there on the street talking to people," Pedroncelli said.
Brad Winter's campaign was also busy Monday.
Whitney Cheshire, communications director the Winter campaign, said their 50 or 60 volunteers spent the day going door to door, making phone calls and waving signs at busy intersections.
"Brad's also been on the phone most of the day," she said. "And he'll be there until the election."
Ana-Lisa Montoya, a UNM student and volunteer for Ch†vez, said she loves campaigning.
"What I can learn from this is so amazing," she said. "You just learn so much from our leaders."
Montoya said working with Ch†vez has been more than just a learning experience - it's been fun.
"He is really charismatic," she said, watching the mayor play with his dog, Dukes. "And he's really easy to talk to."
Bineshi Albert, who works at a consulting firm when she isn't campaigning for Griego, was making signs that read, "Vote for Eric" and "West Siders for Griego."
"I helped when he ran for City Council," she said. "It's very exciting to know that a member of our community can attain a position like this."
Albert said she plans on spending election day holding the signs at polling stations and street corners on the West Side.
"I'll do whatever they need," she said.
Griego and Ch†vez disagree in a lot of areas, including the proposed minimum wage increase and the restriction of alcohol sales at all-ages shows. However, there is something they both agree on - hearing the election results.
"I've been so busy," Griego said. "I haven't gotten a lot of sleep, haven't washed my dishes in a while, haven't taken my dogs out on walks for a few days. I kind of had to put my life on hold."
Ch†vez said he was looking forward to the campaign being over.
