City election turnout heavy

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) - Ballot counting in Albuquerque's city election is underway.

Although there is no mayor's race, turnout's been pretty good.

City Clerk Amy Bailey says a typical Albuquerque election without a mayor's race, attracts very few voters.
The last time around only 10 percent of those registered showed up.

But even the bad weather isn't putting a damper on turnout.
In some places, lines stretched outside and the wait was up to an hour.

Mayor R.J. Berry's bond package is a key issue for a lot of people

"There's less and less money, where you spend it seems important and he's talking about putting the money back where it's going to help more of the everyday people here in town, the sports complex is not interesting at all to me," said voter Gary Hillard.

He's talking about a controversial bond package that would spend $25-million to build a sports complex and provide $25-million for future rebuilding of the Paseo Del Norte-I-25 interchange.

Some people are unhappy that you can't vote on them separately. You have to vote for or against both.

There are 12 bond issues in all, totaling 214 million dollars.

Another hotly contested item is a proposition that lets voters say if they think the city should keep its red light cameras.

"I want to make sure that the bond issues passed and I want to vote in favor of the red light program," said voter Roy Morgan.

The majority of city councilors and the mayor say they'll abide by voters' wishes on red light cameras.

There are also four city council positions being filled but only two of those races are contested.

Polls close at 7 p.m.  Early voting ballots are already being counted.