Q&A: Curry County clerk talks new role, county issues

Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Annie Hogland is the Curry County clerk.

Q: You were recently named the president for New Mexico Counties. What does that position entail?

A: My job is to be an advocate for good county government and help guide the collaborative efforts of all 33 counties in their mission. 

Q: Do most of the state’s 33 counties have similar issues? What are most county officials spending their time addressing?

A: Each county is unique with its own demographics and geography, resulting in their own unique challenges.

There are specific issues prevalent statewide county officials are working to address, such as mental and behavioral health.

In general, at the county level, we focus on the services we provide and the quality of life of our residents.  

Q: Does Curry County have issues unique to New Mexico? What does our county spend most of its time addressing?

A: That may be a better question for our county manager or Commission, as I’m not responsible for policy making in Curry County. From my perspective, Curry County mirrors the answer above: we focus on the services we provide and quality of life, and we may have a slightly higher focus on water and agricultural issues than other counties.

I think Curry County also treats community partnerships as one of our highest priorities. 

Q: You have talked publicly about your frustrations with low voter turnout, even using your non-voting mother as an example. Why do you think most people don’t vote? And what can public officials do to change that?

A: Most often, I hear concerns of candidate and/or party performance, as well as distrust in the process.

We try our best to educate and inform our voters on the process and equipment, but we are a small team in comparison to the number of registered voters who aren’t turning out.

We must all take responsibility for our right to vote.

While I’m not aware of any policy changes that would serve as a solution to low turnout, I think public officials can certainly lead by example to educate and encourage their constituents to participate. 

Q: You received more than a dozen letters during the 2020 presidential election alleging you were complicit in voter fraud. You said they made you feel “a little mad.” Did the letters inspire you to make any changes in voting procedures? Are you still mad about the allegations?

A: I laugh about it now. If I get any hate mail in the future, I want to hang it in my office window with a sign that says “look what I made.”

All jokes aside, 2020 helped us improve our communication and the efficacy of our response to things out of our control, such as third-party election mailings.

We’ll continue to focus our attention on earning the trust of the voters. We encourage folks to come to us directly with their questions and concerns.  

Q: Tell us about your horse and your adventures in riding. You and Sambo had what you’ve described as a “wreck” about a year ago. Are you both fully recovered and do you still love racing around those barrels?

A: Yes! Sambo and I are fully recovered, setting new goals, and really enjoying the ride.

I’d like to think I never took it for granted, but now I never will.

I’m so thankful for my husband Cody. He’s my biggest supporter and was the driving force behind our comeback. 

— Compiled by Landry Sena, the Staff of the News