County dismisses poll worker who posted about filming voters

The Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office confirmed that a poll worker was dismissed after posting about taking video of ballots on a right-wing social media website. 

Clerk Amanda López Askin confirmed that the temporary poll worker was dismissed before having the chance to video any ballots. López Askin said that the office was alerted to the post shortly after it was made by concerned citizens weeks ago. 

“The posting was an individual who included a photo of his appointment letter to work Election Day. And the website was an extremist website,” López Askin said. 

López Askin said she and the office waited to see if the individual would attend training before acting. 

“I didn't do anything at that point, because a lot of folks will say they're going to and then they don't show up for training,” she said. 

But about two weeks before Election Day, López Askin said the man, Alfred Cabrales, did show up for training and was dismissed shortly after.

“He was easy to identify because he posted the original photo with all of the information to this small site,” López Askin said. 

López Askin also said that Cabrales referred in his post to contacting James O'Keefe, a conservative influencer who questions the validity of U.S. elections despite little to no evidence of voter fraud. O'Keefe has called on his supporters to film elections.

In a New York Times article about O’Keefe, Cabrales criticized what he called the “insidious lack of transparency surrounding our supposed election security and those who defend it." The NYT said Cabrales also said, “The citizens are aware of the misjustice against them, and they will pass judgment.”

Cabrales could not be reached for comment by the Bulletin.