Voter Voices: New Mexico

ALISON STEWART, host:

Now a few more voters' opinions to share with you. Let's go to the land of enchantment, New Mexico. Reporter Elaine Baumgartel of member station KUNM spent some time outside the post office in central Albuquerque.

ELAINE BAUMGARTEL: Can you tell me your name and where you're from?

Mr. CHARLES MCVEY(ph): Charles McVey. I live here in Albuquerque.

BAUMGARTEL: And have you decided who you're going to vote for?

Mr. MCVEY: Yes.

BAUMGARTEL: Would you tell me who and why?

Mr. MCVEY: John McCain and mostly Republicans.

BAUMGARTEL: And why did you choose the Republican ticket this year?

Mr. MCVEY: Well, I'm sure the Democrats will raise taxes a lot, and I think that's a big mistake.

BAUMGARTEL: Can you tell me your name and where you're from?

Ms. ETHEL THASTHORSE(ph): I'm Ethel Thasthorse, and I'm from Laguna Pueblo.

BAUMGARTEL: And have you decided who you're going to vote for?

Ms. THASTHORSE: Not yet.

BAUMGARTEL: So what are the things that you're thinking about as you're pondering your decision?

Ms. THASTHORSE: Actually, I haven't - neither one of the candidates have said anything about the Native Americans. So far they have - they've done everything for the Hispanics and everything else. But they - nobody is saying anything about the Native Americans. I don't know how many people know this, but we're losing all our services and stuff, and at a quick rate, at a quick rate.

BAUMGARTEL: So which way are you leaning, do you think, in the general election?

Ms. THASTHORSE: In the general election, I'm leaning towards, probably, Obama. Obama.

BAUMGARTEL: Can you tell me your name and where you're from?

Mr. JACOB REGO(ph): My name is Jacob Rego, and I'm from Rio Rancho.

BAUMGARTEL: And have you voted yet in the general election?

Mr. REGO: Yes, I have.

BAUMGARTEL: And why did you choose to vote early instead of voting on Election Day?

Mr. REGO: Why I chose early? Just because I just turned 18, and it was kind of like exciting for me to vote.

BAUMGARTEL: And so who did you vote for and why?

Mr. REGO: I voted for Obama just because I think, you know - I don't know, it's kind of like - this might sound kind of a weird - but I mean, Obama seems kind of more towards improving it as far as like, you know, he has little kids of his own. So he's going to want to make it better for his kids as opposed to McCain, you know. He's already older and, you know, so... Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.