Election Day In-Person Voting
San Juan County voters will have the opportunity to consider both the San Juan College Local GO Bond and the Statewide GO Bond 3.
SJC Local and State General Obligation (GO) bonds would NOT raise property tax rates, if passed.
Important Dates
Early In-Person & Absentee Voting
Begins Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Expanded Early Voting
Saturday, October 17 – Saturday, October 31, 2026
Election Day In-Person Voting
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Voter Information
Early Voting
San Juan County Clerk’s Office
Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
San Juan County Clerk’s Office
Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Alternate Early Voting Sites
October 17 – October 31, 2026
Monday - Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Farmington Public Library
- Farmington Museum @ Gateway Park
- Bloomfield Cultural Center
- CCSD Business Office
- Newcomb Fire Station
Investing in SJC Through GO Bonds
San Juan College (SJC) is committed to investing in facilities and learning spaces that support student success, expand workforce training and improve the campus experience. This fall, San Juan County voters will consider the San Juan College Local General Obligation (GO) Bond and the Statewide General Obligation Bond 3, which would provide funding for campus improvements designed to serve students, employees and the community.
If approved, the $7.5 million San Juan College Local General Obligation Bond would fund several capital improvement projects across campus. The proposed projects include expanded healthcare and skilled trades training, improvements to arts and recreation facilities and investments in campus infrastructure.
The bonds would not increase current property tax rates.
Local Bond Would Support Five Major Campus Projects
The proposed local bond includes funding for projects that address facility needs while improving the student experience, community engagement, and workforce demands.
Six New Lighted Outdoor Pickleball Courts — $700,000
Pickleball’s growth is explosive, attracting nearly 20 million players across all ages. The project will transform an underutilized area of campus into a recreational space that encourages students to stay active, build connections, and participate in campus life. The courts also will help meet the growing popularity of pickleball in the Farmington area among community members.
Nursing Program Facility Expansion — $3.1 Million
The project will expand and renovate the Nursing Program facility to support a 50 percent increase in students, adding modern simulation laboratories, flexible learning spaces and additional faculty offices. These improvements will allow San Juan College to educate more nurses and help meet New Mexico’s growing demand for healthcare professionals.
Henderson Fine Arts Center Theatre Upgrades — $1.1 Million
This funding will be used to replace outdated stage lighting with new energy-efficient LED lighting, enhanced audio equipment, and a state-of-the-art video wall, creating a more versatile venue for performances. These additions would allow the theatre to host corporate seminars, cinematic screenings, and large-scale community events. These enhancements will elevate the audience experience while creating a more dynamic space for connection, engagement and community.
New HVAC-R Training Facility — $950,000
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning-Refrigeration (HVAC-R) technician training program will prepare students for careers in one of the region's fastest-growing skilled trades.
The updated 4,000-square-foot space will feature modern classrooms, hands-on laboratory areas, and industry-standard equipment that gives students practical experience with today's residential and commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
Matching Funds for Campus Heating Water Loop and Utility Upgrades — $1.4 Million
These funds will be used along with State GO Bond 3 to replace aging domestic water, sewer, and hot water loop lines that serve the campus. The existing hot water lines are leaking, and the sewer lines have reached the end of their useful life. Replacing these critical utility systems will improve campus infrastructure reliability while supporting safe, efficient, and dependable operations for students, employees, and the community.
The local bond includes $250,000 in contingency funding to help offset inflation and other economic factors between bond approval and the sale of bonds.
"All of these projects are important investments to make for our campus and community," said San Juan College President Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass.
Statewide GO Bond 3 Supports Critical Infrastructure
In addition to the San Juan College Local General Obligation Bond, SJC is seeking $4.2 million through the statewide General Obligation (GO) Bond 3 to replace aging domestic water, sewer and hot water loop lines across campus.
The existing hot water lines are leaking, and the sewer system has reached the end of its useful life. Replacing these utility systems will improve campus infrastructure reliability while supporting safe, efficient and dependable operations for students, employees, and visitors.
Combined, the state and local funding will provide a total investment of $5.6 million for the campus utility improvement project.
"We appreciate the support of our voters," said Pendergrass. "Each of the projects will enhance the services we provide, invest in our economy, and enrich the lives of those in our community all without raising property tax rates."
Statewide Library GO Bond Would Support SJC Library
The statewide Library GO Bond supports academic, school, public and tribal libraries. Funding will be utilized to provide students and the community with education resources and research material.
San Juan College Library would receive $179,832 to enhance the following:
- Books
- E-books
- Journals
- DVDs
- Music
- Educational Resources
- Databases
- Enhanced technology and security systems
- Laptops, tablets, scanners, printers and more!
FAQS
The statewide bond will fund the majority of the cost – $4.2 million or 75 percent – needed to replace our aging water, sewer and hot water loop lines. Some of these lines are leaking and all are at the end of their useful life. The local bond will contribute the balance of that cost – $1.4 million or 25 percent – to allow us to complete this important project for campus safety and reliability.
The rest of the local bond, which totals $6.1 million, will fund projects that benefit both students and the community. It will expand and improve the high-demand nursing program, fund facility renovations for a classroom and lab for a new HVAC-R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning-Refrigeration) technician training program, construct six new outdoor lighted pickleball courts and upgrade the technology in the Henderson Fine Arts Theatre.
The contingency funds are included to address inflation and other economic factors between the time the bond is approved and the time the bonds are actually sold. The contingency is included to ensure we can complete the projects included in the bond projects.
Research shows that bonds create, on average, one job for every $100,000 in funding architecture, construction and related fields. Therefore, this year’s local bond will create around 75 jobs. Combined with the estimated 42 jobs generated from passage of the Statewide GO Bond, both bonds would create a total of 117 new jobs in San Juan County. If workers are not from our local area, they will eat, stay and spend money in San Juan County. This, in turn, provides a boost to local businesses, while the community benefits from the increase in gross receipts tax income.
No. According to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, the amount appropriated by the legislation and the anticipated amount of the Statewide GO Bond question, should it pass, is already accounted for in the flat property tax mill rates and would therefore not result in a mill rate (property tax rate) increase. For the local bond, the amount requested is the same as bonds already retired (paid out) by San Juan College, so there would be no property tax rate increase.
If the Statewide GO Bond 3 fails to pass, there is no guarantee property tax rates will be reduced, nor will it give the State of New Mexico the ability to use this money for other purposes. The last time the GO Bond for higher education failed was in 2010. After that election, there was no evidence that property taxes decreased in any county in New Mexico. On the local level, the property tax rate may not go down if the college opts to manage the revenues to speed repayment of long-term debt.
Many degrees and certificates, such as Nursing and HVAC-R, require a blend of classroom, laboratory and hands-on learning that cannot be fully replicated online. College facilities also serve the broader community. The Henderson Fine Arts Theatre provides a space for concerts, performances and other events, many of which include local community groups. The planned six new lighted outdoor pickleball courts would transform an underutilized area into a recreational space for students and community members to enjoy one of today’s fastest-growing sports. None of these investments in the college’s facilities will cause an increase of square footage.
How Past GO Bonds Have Supported SJC
Past local and state GO bond funding has supported major improvements to San Juan College facilities, infrastructure, and learning environments.
2024 State GO Bond — $3.25 Million
Projects are currently underway to modernize SJC's heating, cooling, and energy infrastructure:
- Replacing outdated boilers with high-efficiency units
- Replacing obsolete heating and cooling control systems in multiple buildings
- Improving energy efficiency and reliability across campus
2022 Local SJC GO Bond — $7 Million
Funding supported major facility, recreation, and community improvements across campus:
- Replaced and relocated the aging Physical Plant with a modern, energy-efficient facility
- Upgraded the Henderson Fine Arts Center and Connie Gotsch theaters
- Added retractable bleachers at the Health and Human Performance Center
- Added a bike park and pump track for community recreation, events and competitions
2022 State GO Bond — $3 Million
Funding modernized SJC's technology infrastructure to improve network speed, reliability, and security:
- Replaced campus-wide fiber and interior network cabling
- Installed a network fiber loop to improve reliability
- Improved data quality, internet speed, and security for students and employees
2020 State GO Bond — $5 Million
Funding improved campus safety, accessibility, and transportation infrastructure:
- Repaved aging parking lots
- Converted uneven gravel parking areas to asphalt
- Improved ADA access to campus entries and roadways
- Added energy-efficient roadway lighting
- Enhanced campus entryways and signage
2018 State GO Bond — $520,000
Funding supported improvements to aging campus facilities and prepared SJC for future expansion:
- Demolished the 30-year-old fire tower to allow for future expansion
- Repaired the 34-year-old Information Technology Center roof
Paid for by the San Juan College Foundation
Learn More About the Bonds
Find information about the proposed bonds, projects, and voting.