The Southside Branch Library in Santa Fe was busy by midmorning Tuesday, with a surge in Election Day voters casting ballots at the polling site.

The Santa Fe County Fairgrounds, too, saw large numbers of voters, many of whom were deciding on a new Santa Fe mayor — from a crowded field of eight candidates — and two new city councilors.

Soledad Martinez, who cast her ballot at the fairgrounds, said she considers voting her civic responsibility, one she takes seriously. "Democracy is from the ground up, isn't it? … I think every election counts to support the foundation of those principles," she said.

Despite the buzz at the polls, Santa Fe County's turnout was only about 31.5% of those registered, according to the County Clerk's Office. The agency reported over 36,000 county residents ha

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