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When the votes were tallied in the Town of Hayden’s mail only election last week, the voters chose a new mayor and voted to continue with the town’s “home rule option.”
Ballots were mailed to all qualified electors within the town beginning on Feb. 14, 2013. Voters had until March 12 to send in their ballots. In addition to the mayor and alternative spending limitation, voters were asked to choose all six of the council seats.
In the mayoral election, former fire chief Charles “Chale” Vega captured 123 votes, 66.49 percent of the votes cast. Incumbent Monica Badillo received 53 votes. Three write in votes were cast.
The home rule option garnered 115 yes votes with 49 voting no.
In the council election, the unofficial results are:
• Rhonda Cooper 104 (56.22%)
• Thomas Lagunas 149 (80.54%)
• Enrique “Henry” Lopez 137 (74.05%)
• Maria Munoz 149 (80.54%)
• Nannette Quesada 92 (49.73%)
• Gloria Ruiz 118 (63.78%)
• Bobby Smith 147 (79.46%)
Of 410 registered voters in the Town of Hayden, 185 ballots were cast, a 45.12 percent voter turnout.
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