Bernalillo Municipal Candidate Forum Scheduled Feb. 15 at Black Box Theater

The Town of Bernalillo Municipal Candidate Forum is scheduled for Feb. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Black Box Theater at Bernalillo High School, 148 Spartan Alley, Bernalillo. The event listing was posted Jan. 31, 2026; it gives local voters a designated time to assess candidates in person before ballots are cast.

The listing does not specify which offices or which candidates will appear. Candidate-filing records dated Aug. 26, 2025 show a number of qualified candidates in Bernalillo County and neighboring jurisdictions who hold municipal and school board filings. Those records list Christina P. Argyres as a Democratic candidate for municipal judge in the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque; Rebecca Marie Betzen as a Democratic candidate for Albuquerque Municipal School District Board Member District 3, with contact rebeccambetzen@gmail.com and phone (505) 550-0752; Matt J. Armenta and Jonathan M. Ortiz as Democratic candidates for councilor in the Village of Tijeras, with Matt Armenta at MATTJARMENTA@GMAIL.COM and (505) 264-0356 and Jonathan Ortiz at JONATHANORTIZ21@GMAIL.COM and (505) 363-8451; and Gloria J. Chavez and Joseph Richard Patron as Republican candidates for Tijeras councilor, with Gloria Chavez at VALLEYGIRLNM@GMAIL.COM and (505) 263-0715 and Joseph Patron at JOEPATRON98@GMAIL.COM and (505) 444-0015. These filing records indicate qualified status as of the portal timestamps but do not confirm attendance at the Feb. 15 forum.

The timing matters because local ballots affecting Bernalillo voters will be available at town hall. Bernalillo voters can cast ballots for two local elected positions and one general obligation bond question at Town Hall, 829 Camino del Pueblo, with hours listed as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. Neighboring jurisdictions are also operating early voting schedules that expand convenience and may shape turnout patterns; voters in Rio Rancho have extended early voting hours and multiple polling sites.

Voices from recent forums in the region underline why in-person events matter to turnout and voter confidence. Rick Scott, a Rio Rancho resident who attended a Feb. 3 forum, said, "Things come up in life and it's good to get it out of the way," adding, "I like to check that box." Wendy Menref, another Rio Rancho attendee, said she "prefers early voting so she doesn't have to stand in line on Election Day," and she "laughed that voting early also helps break her "procrastination" of waiting until the last minute to cast her ballot." Menref added that "the city's poll workers are pleasant and give good directions to voters."

For local civic context, recurring public meetings remain on the calendar: Bernalillo Town Council meets second and fourth Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, and the Eastern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority meets fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the Town of Bernalillo Council Chambers; ESCAFCA’s public contact line for agenda requests and accommodations is 771-7110.

Key logistical and content details remain unreported in the event listing: the forum sponsor and moderator, the list of participating candidates and offices, the forum format and time limits, accessibility accommodations, admission or RSVP requirements, press credentialing, and whether the event will be recorded or livestreamed. These items should be confirmed with forum organizers before attending.

What this means for voters: the Feb. 15 forum provides a concentrated opportunity to evaluate municipal leadership in person ahead of early voting and Election Day. Confirm attendance and format directly with organizers, and note the Town Hall early voting hours and ballot items if you plan to cast a ballot in Bernalillo.