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Voting

Information on all aspects of voting. Including registering, where to vote, and where to find information on candidates to be an informed voter!

Voter Registration in New Mexico

Eligibility

To register and vote in New Mexico, an applicant must be:

  • A resident of New Mexico
  • A citizen of the United States
  • Not legally declared mentally incapacitated
  • Not a convicted felon or a felon who has completed all of the terms and conditions of sentencing
  • 18 years or older at the time of the next election

More information: NM Election Handbook

Secretary of State Voter Information Website

Deadline

  • Voter registration closes 28 days before an election. (Section 1-4-8, NMSA 1978).
  • Same-Day Voter Registration: If you wish to register to vote or update your existing registration, you can do so only at your County Clerk’s office until the Saturday before the Election.  (Section 1-4-5.7 NMSA 1978).
  • Registration applications may be submitted by hand or mail to the appropriate county clerks through the Friday following the registration deadline, provided the date and/or postmark is before the deadline (28 days before the election). (Section 1-4-8 (F), NMSA 1978).
  • Suppose you register to vote after registration has closed. In that case, the county clerk will still accept your voter registration application, but it will not be processed until thirty-five (35) days after the election.

Online registration

If you have a current or expired New Mexico state I.D. or driver's license, you can register or update your registration online with Online Voter Registration System.

Mail-in registration     

A voter may request the New Mexico Registration Form by mail, telephone, or in person. The New Mexico Form is on card stock, is a permanent record, and is unavailable online. The form may not be duplicated.

In New Mexico, registration forms are distributed throughout county clerks' offices. The documents are also available at the Secretary of State's office in Santa Fe, Motor Vehicle Division offices, and many other public assistance offices. You can also call the Secretary of State's office at 1.800.477.3632 and ask for a registration form to be mailed to you.

Click here to download a Voter Registration Form from the Secretary of State's website.

You may also register with a Third-Party Registration Agent.

First-Time Registrants: If you are writing for the first time in New Mexico and you submit the registration form by mail, then you must present to the state a copy of

(1) a current and valid photo identification; or

(2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card, or another government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe, or pueblo that shows your name and current address.

If you do not submit one of these forms of identification with your mailed-in, first-time registration, you will be required to present one of the forms of identification when voting in person or absentee.

Political affiliation

  • You are not required to choose a political party.
  • You can choose a political party affiliation if you wish or decide not to be affiliated with any political party. The choice is yours to make and does not impact the validity of your registration form.
  • Any applicant may choose to check the" "No Party" box on the application; however, New Mexico has a closed primary, so only those registered in a major political party may participate in the primary election. The major political parties in New Mexico are:
    • Democratic Party
    • Republican Party
    • Libertarian Party
  • Voters affiliated with all other political parties or voters with no political party affiliation may not vote in primary elections in New Mexico. However, all voters, regardless of political affiliation, are invited to participate in all other elections.

Updating registration      

If you have a current or expired New Mexico state I.D. or driver’s license, you can register or update your registration online with our Online Voter Registration System.

Canceling registration

Download the Voter Cancellation Request form

Voting

Absentee voting by mail or in person

Voters may cast an absentee ballot or vote in person at their local County Clerk’s office or early voting before Election Day. No excuse is required to vote with an absentee ballot. Visit NMVote.org to request an absentee ballot, find an early voting location, and more!

 Request an Absentee Ballot

Absentee voting begins on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, for the 2022 General Election. Request an absentee ballot by filling out an application and returning it to your local County Clerk. Applications can be obtained by:

  • Absentee ballot requests through the Secretary of State’s website for the 2022 General Election will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Thursday, November 3, 2022.
  • Voters can request an absentee ballot for the 2022 General Election from their county clerk through Thursday, November 3, 2022.

Applications must be received by the County Clerk no later than 5:00 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2022.  A ballot will be sent to voters who have properly filled out the application. 

To check the status of your Absentee Application, go here or contact your County Clerk’s Office.

If you do not receive the absentee ballot, please contact the County Clerk’s Office no later than Friday, November 4, 2022.

Request an Accessible Absentee Ballot

New Mexico has designed absentee ballots so visually impaired voters can independently use their screen reader technology to mark their ballot.

  • Fill out an application online by CLICKING HERE.
  • An email address is required for the delivery of the electronic absentee ballot.
  • Please read and complete the certification document required to provide the electronic absentee ballot.

Applications must be received by the County Clerk no later than 5:00 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2022.  A ballot will be emailed to voters who have properly filled out the application, and an official return envelope will be mailed and must be used to return the absentee ballot.

If you do not receive an email with a link to your absentee ballot, please contact the County Clerk’s Office no later than Friday, November 4, 2022.

Return an Absentee Ballot

All absentee ballots may be returned to the County Clerk’s Office or any Election Day polling location no later than 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 – Election Day.

Early Voting

Early voting begins at the County Clerk’s office on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Some counties expand and add alternate early voting locations starting Saturday, October 22, 2022. Early voting continues through Saturday, November 5, 2022. Please check locations and hours of operation by visiting NMVote.org or contacting your County Clerk’s Office.

Polling places and hours*

You may also vote early in person, instead of voting by mail.  You may go to your county clerk’s office beginning the 28th day before the election and vote.  (Section 1-6-5, NMSA 1978).

  • Expanded early voting is available in many counties beginning on the third Saturday before the election.  Look up early voting locations here or call your county clerk for locations and dates, and hours of operation.
  • Early voting ends the Saturday before the election.

ID Requirements for Voting

First-Time Voters

A physical form of identification is only required for first-time New Mexico voters who registered by mail and did not include identification with their voter registration application form.

 You must submit with the form a copy of::

(1) a current and valid photo identification; or

(2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address.

If you do not submit one of these forms of identification with your mailed-in, first time registration, then you would be required to present one of the forms of identification when voting in person or absentee.

All Other Voters

You do not have to present a photo ID to vote in a state election. You will be asked to provide a verbal or written statement of identification including your name, year of birth, and registered address.

General Resources on Voting and Elections

General Resources on Voting and Elections

Election Protection Hotlines

1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) (en Español)

1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) (Asian multilingual assistance)

1-844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) (Arabic)

Voter Registration & Election Day Resources

Find useful voter information, including:

  • Local Election Office and Contact Information
  • Address, Telephone, and Email for Local Election Offices
  • Upcoming Federal Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Upcoming State Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Identification Requirements
  • Voter Materials Transmission Options
  • State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered? Where's my Ballot?

Population-Specific information and Resources

Voting Rights: Laws, Cases, Policy

Voter Engagement

Voter Education

Campaign Finance/Funding Information

Primary Sources, Lesson Plans & Exhibits