Newsroom invites municipal candidates to present platforms before election

Candidates in the March 3, 2026 municipal elections in Rio Rancho and Bernalillo are being offered a direct platform to outline their priorities for voters. This newsroom is inviting submitted guest opinion columns of up to 450 words focused strictly on candidates' platforms and plans, providing a space for voters to compare positions in advance of early voting and Election Day.

Submissions must avoid references to opponents and include a headshot. To meet print deadlines, entries are due by noon Thursday, Feb. 19. Columns will run on a first-come, first-published basis, and will be considered based on the order they arrive and conformity with the stated rules. The notice is aimed at giving readers concise, candidate-authored explanations of policy priorities and proposed actions for city government.

The opportunity matters in Sandoval County because municipal elections often hinge on voter familiarity with local issues and candidate plans rather than large-scale campaign spending. City council and mayoral contests in Rio Rancho and Bernalillo involve decisions on development, infrastructure, public safety, water management, and budgets that affect everyday life. A consistent, candid statement from each candidate can help voters evaluate trade-offs and priorities ahead of ballots being cast.

The requirement to avoid naming or attacking opponents is intended to keep submissions focused on issues and to prevent retaliatory exchanges on the letters-and-op-eds page. The headshot requirement helps readers identify authors, particularly in a county where neighborhood connections and name recognition play a large role. The 450-word cap encourages succinct, policy-centered writing that is easier for busy voters to digest.

The first-come, first-published approach favors campaigns that can prepare and submit materials early; smaller or volunteer-run campaigns may need to plan accordingly to secure placement. Candidates who want print visibility should prioritize meeting the noon Feb. 19 deadline and ensure their submissions adhere to the no-opponent rule and the word limit. This newsroom will publish columns as they arrive, subject to space and editorial standards.

For voters, these columns will provide direct access to candidates' stated plans in their own words, supplementing debates, candidate forums, and voter guides. Expect a series of candidate-authored pieces in upcoming editions that can serve as a basis for comparison. Candidates who miss the print deadline should still engage through public forums and official filings, but early submission increases the likelihood of appearing in the published series.

What this means for readers is straightforward: pay attention to the coming issues for candidate statements, and use those columns as one of several tools to assess how prospective officeholders would address local concerns. Candidates who want to reach Sandoval County voters have a clear deadline and format to do so; now is the time for them to distill policy positions and make them available to the community.