'Get me to the polls on time'.(Las Cruces, New Mexico, educational assistants vote for union representation)

When educational assistants in Las Cruces, New Mexico went to the polls February 18 to vote on union representation, it seemed like everybody was clamoring to drive them there.

"Ride this battle-scarred, but steady Ford van to Sierra Middle School with the confidence of knowing it can go for the long haul," noted one sign posted by a union supporter.

"Sit back in luxurious leather comfort for the short trip to Sierra in this roomy Caddy -- departs 3:15," boasted another.

Getting potential union members to the polls is critically important in New Mexico, where the state's public sector bargaining law requires a 60 percent turnout of eligible voters for a representation election to be valid.

Not surprisingly, the district's associate superintendent urged the 485 educational assistants not to vote.

But with a lot of help and hard work …