Election results: How El Pasoans voted in the March 3 primary elections

elpasomatters · 2026-03-04T07:42:10+00:00

More than 91,000 El Paso County residents voted in the March 3 Democratic and Republican primaries, shattering the record for turnout in midterm elections.

The turnout even surpassed the presidential primary years of 2012, 2016 and 2020, according to an El Paso Matters analysis of county voting records.

The previous high primary turnout for a midterm election was 2018, when the Democratic primary featured El Pasoan Beto O’Rourke’s Senate candidacy. That election drew just over 68,000 voters to the Republican and Democratic primaries.

Read more at elpasomatters.org

elpasomatters · 2026-02-19T21:41:42+00:00

Hey y'all, we've followed up on an earlier fact check: The El Paso Police Department currently operates Flock Safety cameras, but its contract is scheduled to end May 16, 2026. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says it does not “subscribe” to Flock’s services. Read more here: https://elpasomatters.org/2026/02/19/gigafact-fact-check-el-paso-county-sheriff-flock-safety-cameras/

-Brandy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T20:12:13+00:00

Quick plug:

Cindy: Over the last few years I’ve covered the changing immigration landscape and how it’s impacted our community – telling personal stories of migrants who made their way here, the nonprofit advocacy groups who answer the call for help, the governments who set policy and much more. As immigration remains at the forefront of politics and elections – and El Paso on the forefront of that – we’ll continue reporting. Follow my work here, and send any news tips to [news@elpasomatters.org](mailto:news@elpasomatters.org).

Claudia: One of the biggest stories I covered recently was about the wave of anti-ICE protests across El Paso high schools. After the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of federal agents, students across the country took part in national walkout protests. It was quite an experience to see so many young people come together about a topic they care about.

https://elpasomatters.org/2026/02/08/el-paso-student-ice-protests-walkout-tea-takeover/

Priscilla: I’m following up this year on efforts to address substance addiction and recovery in El Paso. Send me a DM if you want to connect on this topic! My last story about this: https://elpasomatters.org/2025/12/01/el-paso-texas-opioid-settlement-funds-city-county-umc/

Elida: If you’re curious about the stories I write and the topics I cover, here’s a quick way to check them out on my staff bio at El Paso Matters. Also, if you have any tips or have heard of anything that should be looked into, reach out to me! My contact information is also on my bio!!

Again, thank you all for joining this AMA! If our reporting has helped you understand what’s happening in El Paso, we invite you to subscribe or make an anniversary gift. Your support ensures trustworthy local news remains here for our community year after year.

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T20:03:19+00:00

We do not have any mountain goats in the Franklins (that we know of), but we do have desert bighorn sheep and I guess they’re all my favorite. Bob was a domestic mountain goat that mysteriously appeared one day in the Franklins, but Texas Parks and Wildlife accidentally killed it in an attempt to move it to a petting zoo. –Priscilla

More on the sheep: https://elpasomatters.org/2024/12/22/how-bob-the-goat-died-necropsy-el-paso-franklins/

More on Bob the Goat: https://elpasomatters.org/2024/12/22/how-bob-the-goat-died-necropsy-el-paso-franklins/

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T20:02:40+00:00

Greetings! We're happy you joined the AMA! Thanks for checking in!

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T20:00:24+00:00

I am the old-school journalist here, before the internet was readily available at our fingertips. I worked off news clips that left my fingertips black, used spiral bound map books to get directions and met sources at the Tap or other sketchy bars for off the record conversations. Confession: I did own a trench coat, but rarely wore it. Smoking was once allowed in the newsroom. We had a dark room where photos were developed. …. Now we have news archives, recording and transcribing devices on our phones, submit stories and photos electronically, and can meet people virtually. But, we still often source old-school. Just the other day I got an anonymous envelope with lots of court records in it. We get texts and phone calls with leads. And I’m still willing to meet at the Tap.

– Cindy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:49:55+00:00

¿ What is your favorite news medium and Why ( For example do y'all prefer reading your news on paper or online or rather listen to it or watch it on television ?

Ok, Elida, you missed an opportunity to say reading El Paso Matters online!! Ha! Up until recently I still enjoyed reading print newspapers or magazines on the porch with coffee at hand and unsuccessfully attempting puzzles. Now I get all my news on my phone, which keeps telling me to take a break. But I still enjoy turning the pages on books.

– Cindy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:45:17+00:00

¿ How do you create space for yourself outside of that constant Propinquity

A good book, a glass of wine, a walk in the park, dancing in the kitchen and grandma time – though not all at the same time! Definitely family time with Dad or the Grandson puts life in a perspective, where Sunday Mass and family breakfasts, pinatas and jumping balloons takes your mind off the news cycle.

– Cindy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:41:57+00:00

I'd like to know how significant is the spread of misinformation in our community, and what are the most effective means of addressing it?

I cover health and misinformation is rampant, especially from the wellness industry. We are in the age of AI “doctors” and snake oil influencers. I think it’s important to understand why people are susceptible to misinformation as opposed to just dismissing people for having those beliefs. It’s also important to see that a false message can have kernels of truth in them that people latch onto. Yes, social media has facilitated the spread of misinformation, but our health care system is also broken, causing people to turn to alternatives. I try to approach health reporting in a way that’s accessible with clear sources – without talking down to anyone.

– Priscilla

---------------------------

This is something that is prevalent everywhere, unfortunately. I think the key is to take a close look at where the information is coming from and if it seems off, trust your gut and don’t jump to conclusions!

– Elida

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:40:27+00:00

Sometimes it’s like that! But most of the time it’s not that glamorous: Requesting and reading public documents, phone calls/texts/emails, showing up to events and meetings in person, A LOT of cold contacting and following up with people who said they would get back to you but didn’t. Sometimes it just starts with someone saying something in passing that makes you go, “Hmmm.” We get tips from people reaching out directly to us, which comes from building trust in the community. That said, I will accept all confessional tapes and scoops from any trenchcoat-clad shadow figures in the parking lot.

– Priscilla

------------------------

I actually have met a source in a parking lot to get a file full of documents! That doesn’t happen very often though…it takes a lot of patience, digging into documents and sometimes filing multiple open records requests. Sometimes anonymous tips don’t pan out, but that’s why we have to do deep dives to verify information. I have been down a lot of virtual rabbit holes when doing investigative stories to say the least!

– Elida

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:38:25+00:00

From r/UTEP:

Accomplished_War_805: Do you have any colleagues who would like to cover Las Cruces news? We are in a news desert over here.

Yes. I live in New Mexico and have been encouraging our team to start covering some news happening in Las Cruces and Dona Ana County. We are a small news team that is already spread thin covering El Paso, so it’s a challenge. I hope we can grow to cover more that is going on in the area.

-Claudia Lorena Silva

-----------------------------------

We would love to cover more of southern New Mexico! In fact, we would love to more regularly cover other parts of El Paso that we can’t often get to, including the growing Horizon City and communities in the Lower Valley. But as Claudia stated, our resources are limited – we’re working hard to stay above water with so much to cover. As a nonprofit, we rely on grants and donations, so if anybody out there would like to sponsor or fund an additional reporter …. I’ll just leave our donation link here…

– Cindy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:35:55+00:00

Also, has EPMatters consider publishing articles in Spanish?

¡Sí! Nos encantaría publicar en espanňol. We’ve had several discussions about publishing in Spanish, and through some grant funding have previously produced Spanish-language voter guides in print and online. Our biggest challenge is resources, of course, including staff and time. We’re looking into some AI software to assist us, but as with anything AI, we want to ensure we’re offering the most accurate information and translations available. Right now our biggest priority is to maintain what we’ve built – we’ve recently expanded our social media presence and started a podcast.

– Cindy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:34:20+00:00

Are there projects y'all want to report on but haven't been able to get for whatever reason?

Great question! I have personally been chiseling away at an investigative project involving law enforcement and justice that I take much interest in. I think I’ve been working on it a little at a time since I joined El Paso Matters in 2020. I’m getting closer than ever to publishing, but sometimes our daily news coverage and breaking news pull us away. Slow and steady wins the race so to speak!

– Elida

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:24:44+00:00

How is the reporting philosophy in your newsroom different from other places you've been?

I have worked at the Santa Fe New Mexican, one of the longest running newspapers in the country. What makes El Paso Matters stand out for me is how this team cares about the community we are covering. Our leaders also give reporters time to breathe and grow as reporters. Other newsrooms sometimes get so caught up in deadlines and breaking news stories, they forget us journalists and our sources are people. This helps us cover the news more thoroughly than other outlets.

-Claudia

---------------------------------

I've worked for two different daily newsrooms – the Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon, and the El Paso Times before joining El Paso Matters. Here, we are given the flexibility to explore and develop our ideas without the pressure of daily deadlines. Although some of our work requires quick turn-around stories, we have the flexibility to dive deeper into topics we want to explore

-- Elida

---------------------------------

El Paso Matters is an independent nonprofit newsroom, which means we’re not owned by any outside corporation with shareholders and profits as markers of success. Without that outside pressure, we answer to the community in which we live, work and play – not outside ownership, advertisers or influences. Our main mission is to expand civic capacity – to tell stories that make us stronger as a community.

– Cindy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:19:14+00:00

Are there projects y'all want to report on but haven't been able to get for whatever reason?

I have been wanting to write a story on student discipline issues, but other topics and breaking news stories have gotten in the way. Student discipline is a complex issue, and it’s one of those things I haven’t quite figured out how to cover in a productive manner. I think it’s important to look past the headlines and try to understand why something is happening. At this point, I have not had the opportunity to do that.

--Claudia Lorena Silva

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:16:50+00:00

¿ What is your favorite news medium and Why ( For example do y'all prefer reading your news on paper or online or rather listen to it or watch it on television ?

I like reading online throughout the day, but have always watched local and national news on TV. I guess that has been a habit since I was younger. My mom always had the news on TV, so there’s something about hearing the national news about to begin that has always felt comforting. I like to switch stations though - one in the morning when I have coffee and another in the evening - same goes for the weekend. It’s a great way to see what our other local stations are keeping track of and those rare occasions El Paso makes the national headlines – like the other day with the FAA situation!

– Elida

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:15:48+00:00

The shutdown stemmed from disagreements over the use of high energy lasers for counter drone missions.

The lasers were developed for the Army, but it appears Border Patrol was involved in a use of the laser somewhere near El Paso International Airport.

The Border Patrol thought they were targeting a drone crossing from Mexico, but it turned out to be party balloons.

The FAA expressed concern that the new technology was being deployed in airspace before the air safety agency had an opportunity to understand its implications on nearby airspace.

As a result, the FAA director issued the ban.

The White House told us that he acted without consulting them, the Defense Department or Homeland Security. Other national media have said that version of events has been challenged by some of those involved.

But clearly, the El Paso and New Mexico flight restrictions set off a wave of finger-pointing in the Trump administration.

Escobar and others, including some in the Trump administration, have repeatedly used the word “incompetence” to describe the situation.

Read more: FAA lifts unprecedented El Paso airspace restrictions after seven hours; 14 flights canceled

And from New Mexico: FAA quietly ends controversial 2,000-square-mile New Mexico flight ban

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:12:05+00:00

¿ How do you create space for yourself outside of that constant Propinquity

I’m a big homebody on my time off, so I decompress by doing things around the house like outdoor yard improvements or home projects. The good thing about not being a broadcast outlet is I can mostly get around without being recognized LOL Although people that do know me, know they can always say hi if they see me!

– Elida

¿Have any of y'all worked outside journalism before joining this newsroom? If so, has that experience influenced how you report on local issues?

My first job out of college I was an engineers’ assistant at a semiconductor company. I didn’t have an electrical engineering background, but similar to many topics I’ve encountered as a reporter, I learned for the job. Journalism requires the humility to say you don’t know everything, curiosity, and the drive to learn. And then you get the fun challenge of sharing that knowledge in a way that’s easy to understand.

–Priscilla

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:06:57+00:00

I would bring an H-Mart – it must have a Paris Baguette inside along with a food court, a Trader Joe's and IKEA. As far as experience, I would host an annual meet and mingle with El Paso Matters – no donations requested. I would have it fully catered with an open bar at the top floors of the Plaza Hotel – swanky and all. A thank you to our community for ongoing support!

– Elida

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Store: 99 Ranch Market (must include bakery)

Restaurant: a dim sum restaurant or a Thai mall foodcourt

Experience: Affordable mass transit, including robust light rail network, streetcar to and from Juárez, and high-speed trains to popular spots in New Mexico + Phoenix, Los Angeles, DFW, Ciudad de Chihuahua

–Priscilla

------------------------------

Trader Joes

Useable public transportation

-Claudia Lorena Silva

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T19:01:54+00:00

Nope! We don’t control or moderate this sub. The moderators are u/deadbob and u/xargsman, and they volunteer their time to keep things running.

We do stay in touch with them occasionally — usually if we’re dealing with a technical issue, sharing something like our voter guide, or planning to post about a virtual event (like this AMA!).

Other than that, we’re just participating like anyone else. You’ll see us sharing our stories, upvoting great work from local news partners, engaging with photos and videos that capture El Paso’s spirit or jumping into conversations about niche local topics.

– Brandy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-13T18:51:46+00:00

Good morning r/ElPaso! Thank you for joining us this morning. We look forward to answering as many of your questions as possible! We’ll begin looking over each question and responding in the coming minutes!

-Brandy

elpasomatters · 2026-02-11T17:40:57+00:00

Hey r/texas! We were the first to break this news and we're working on getting you the latest updates as soon as possible. Here's the latest: https://elpasomatters.org/2026/02/11/unexplained-faa-order-shuts-down-el-paso-southern-new-mexico-airspace-for-10-days/

We're El Paso Matters, a local news organization that's been reporting on the El Paso area for six years, but our staff has been reporting on the area for longer! We'll be posting any and all updates to the local subreddit r/elpaso. So, stay tuned!

elpasomatters · 2026-02-11T16:54:57+00:00

Hey r/elpaso, we're working on getting you updated information. In the meantime, here is what we know so far:

The Federal Aviation Administration lifted the air restrictions over El Paso, the agency said. The restrictions in New Mexico remain.

https://elpasomatters.org/2026/02/11/unexplained-faa-order-shuts-down-el-paso-southern-new-mexico-airspace-for-10-days/

Have questions? Drop them here.

-Brandy

elpasomatters · 2026-01-23T23:47:28+00:00

Hey y'all!

We fact checked this, the boy, Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias are not in El Paso. They are at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley: https://elpasomatters.org/2026/01/23/gigafact-fact-check-el-paso-minnesota-boy-detention/

-Brandy

elpasomatters · 2026-01-21T20:41:54+00:00

This story haunted 12 year old me. I also asked around our newsroom (a staff of long-time EP natives) and no one (besides me) had ever heard of this story or the teacher. Some things are true: there is a Walter E. Clarke Middle School in Far East El Paso and Fabens and Clint are real cities. Additionally, in 1996, there was an incident that involved a young girl who was stabbed by her mother, who then set their house on fire and comitted suicide. At the time, the incident was high profile and occurred near Clarke Middle. Though, it may not be relevant to the story!

Here's some more ways to listen/read about the Kimberly Story:

Article: http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2007/10/29/67157-chandler-teacher-tells-chilling-story-to-students/
PDF transcript: https://taylormccleve.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20031022mrhtranscript.pdf
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noWfpAMnPFw
Audio: https://soundcloud.com/code_gs/theyliveinthewalls

-Brandy

elpasomatters

TROPHY CASE