Preserving History and Democracy
A podcast dedicated to teaching and informing our listeners regarding elections and the fascinating history of Doña Ana County, New Mexico.
Episodes
Election Day is approaching! Join Caroline Zamora and Cynthia Diaz for the latest Doña Ana County election updates, including expanded early voting locations, absentee ballot deadlines, same-day registration, and how to prepare for the November 3 election. They also address circulating misinformation and share helpful tips to make your voting experience easier. Get informed, get prepared, and make your voice heard!
Hosted by: Carol...
What can old photographs, handwritten records, maps, and forgotten stories teach us about who we are today?
In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, we're joined by Victoria Contreas of the Archives of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University to talk about the Border Regional Archives Group and the upcoming Archives Bazaar.
We explore t...
What actually happens to your absentee ballot after you request it? How secure is voting by mail? And what does the latest Supreme Court decision mean for the 2026 election?
In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, we break down the big election news in plain language, talk about how New Mexico protects access to the ballot, and share some of the personal stories that make working in elections so meaningful. From first-...
How do maps help preserve history, shape communities, and ensure voters receive the correct ballot? In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, GIS Supervisor Charles "Chuck" shares how Geographic Information Systems connect data, history, technology, and elections. From preserving historic maps to exploring the future of AI and mapping, discover the fascinating work happening behind the scenes at the Doña Ana County Clerk...
Welcome to the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy!
In this episode, County Clerk Dr. Amanda López Askin sits down with two of our summer interns, Chris and Fatima, for a conversation about their experiences working with the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office.
Chris and Fatima share what inspired them to take on an internship with the Clerk's Office, the lessons and experiences they've gained along the way, and wha...
Season 6 has been packed with unforgettable stories, local legends, and fascinating history. Join Cynthia Diaz and Jacob Slaughter as they look back on 19 episodes featuring community leaders, historians, authors, election experts, and preservationists who helped bring Doña Ana County's rich past and vibrant present to life. From the history of Nopalito's Restaurant and the Taylor-Mesilla Historic S...
What did it feel like to witness the world's first atomic explosion? In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, historian and Trinity Site expert Jim Eckles takes listeners inside the dramatic story of the Trinity Test, from eyewitness accounts of the blinding blast to the lasting legacy of radioactive trinitite, Ground Zero, and the myths that continue to surround the site today.
Join us as we ex...
In this final pre-primary election update, Chief Deputy County Clerk Caroline Zamora and Communications Coordinator Cynthia Diaz break down everything voters need to know before Election Day 2026. From early voting deadlines and absentee ballot drop-offs to same day registration, write-in candidates, electioneering rules, and what to expect on election night, this episode is your quick guide to voting with confidence in Doña ...
In this first part of our special two-part series, we sit down with Jim Eckles. Eckles is an author and retired public affairs specialist at White Sands Missile Range. We sit for an in-depth presentation and discussion on the history of Trinity Site. From the origins of the Manhattan Project to the scientists and military leaders who made the first atomic test possible, Jim walks us through the events leading up to July 16, 1945, t...
In this episode, Chief Deputy County Clerk Caroline Zamora and Communications Coordinator Cynthia Diaz break down everything voters need to know about the upcoming 2026 Primary Election in Doña Ana County. They dive into New Mexico's new semi-open primary system, explaining what it means for Democrats, Republicans, qualified minor party voters and how decline to state voters can participate without ...
In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office welcomes David Davoust, founder and CEO of Robis Elections, for a behind-the-scenes conversation on election technology, security, and innovation in New Mexico elections. From cybersecurity and AI safeguards to new hand tally systems and semi-open primary changes, the discussion highlights how counties, vendors, and election officials work toget...
In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, Cynthia Diaz and Bernardine Caporale are joined by Jennifer Kleitz, District Manager for the Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District, for an in-depth conversation on conservation, community partnerships, and the future of natural resources in southern New Mexico.
From t...
This week, the Preserving History and Democracy team hits the road for a special behind-the-scenes episode at the New Mexico State Archives. Join state archivists Elena Pérez-Lozano and Jonathan Pringle as they reveal how history is preserved from centuries-old documents and rare voter rolls to mysterious crime scene sketches and records dating back to the 1500s. Explore the hidden stories within t...
In the latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy, we sit down with local historian and author David Thomas to explore the fascinating life of Giovanni Maria de Agostini, the mysterious hermit who traveled across South America before arriving in the Mesilla Valley. Drawing from his book Giovanni Maria de Agostini, Wo...
Take a behind-the-scenes look at election administration in this special "on tour" episode of the Preserving History and Democracy podcast, recorded live at the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office in Santa Fe. Host Caroline Zamora is joined by Election Director Mandy Vigil and Bureau of Elections Supervisor Janice Giron for an engaging conversation about public service, the evolution of elections, and what it takes to support vo...
In our latest episode of Preserving History and Democracy, we sit down with Emily Wilson of the Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site to uncover the lives of J. Paul Taylor and Mary Daniels, and how their home became a living time capsule of Southern New Mexico history. From rich cultural artifacts to stories of community, art, and legacy—this episode brings the past to life in a powerful way.
Hosted by: Caroline Zamora, Angelica Vale...
In this episode of Preserving History and Democracy, we recap Filing Day in Doña Ana County—an exciting kickoff to the election season filled with enthusiastic candidates, community spirit, and behind-the-scenes moments. Hear directly from local candidates about why they're running and what drives their commitment to public service.
In this special milestone episode, the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office celebrates 100 episodes of Preserving History and Democracy—a journey dedicated to telling the stories that shape our community. From historic documents stored deep in the county archives to heartfelt memories shared by guests and historians, this e...
Join us for a special episode of Preserving History & Democracy as we record from the historic Las Cruces Railroad Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Communications Coordinator Cynthia Mendoza and producer Bernardine Caporale sit down with museum curator and educator Kyle McGregor to explore the powerful role railroads played in shaping the Mesilla Valley. In this episode, we discuss how the arrival of the railroad in 1881 helpe...
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