Elizabeth Allen Files for Third Term as Los Alamos Municipal Court Judge

Los Alamos Municipal Court Judge Elizabeth Allen has filed to seek a third term on the bench, saying she intends to deepen the court's ties to social service providers if voters return her to office.

Allen, photographed Tuesday morning at the County Municipal Building, said re-election would allow her to continue strengthening collaborations with social service providers to expand support for individuals involved in the justice system, including those currently in detention. No specific partner organizations or programs were named in her announcement.

The filing marks the latest chapter in a judicial career that began with a competitive 2018 race. Running as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Alan Kirk, Allen received 5,269 votes to Kirk's 4,641, winning the Municipal Court seat in an election that saw Los Alamos County turnout approach 2016 presidential levels. She was sworn into office on December 19, 2018. Allen earned her JD from Pepperdine University in 2008.

During her time on the bench, Allen has spoken publicly about changes she brought to the court and the adaptations required by the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2021, she appeared as the featured guest at a League of Women Voters of Los Alamos "Lunch with a Leader" event, where she discussed court improvements she had implemented since 2018 and outlined further enhancements she expected to pursue. That session was recorded and posted to the League's YouTube channel.

No opponent has been identified for the upcoming race. The election date and term length were not specified in the filing announcement.