Be a Voter!
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It's easy to become a voter, or just to vote in New Mexico.
You can vote early, you can vote by mail, you can vote at a polling station, or you can drop off your ballot into a secure drop box. New Mexico protects voters' rights and makes it simple to have your voice heard. What's on the ballot this year? City council, town council, and public school (K-12) and community college board races are on the ballot this year. All are very important because assuring responsible leadership in these positions assures that our cities, towns, and schools are run well. In some school boards, the election of just one extremist school board member has led to books being banned. As we learn about school board candidates in NM CD2 who hold extremist positions, we will add that information to our website, so check back before you vote. Other elections that may be happening where you live include positions on things like the water board or flood control board. Who qualifies to vote? You must be a resident of New Mexico, a citizen of the United States, and 18 years or older at the time of the election (November 7, 2023). You may register NOW, even though you are only 17, as long as you will be 18 by November 7. Can someone who was convicted of a felony vote? As of July 1, 2023, individuals who were convicted of a felony, can vote after they are released from prison, even if they are on parole or probation. When can I vote? Early voting starts October 10, 2023 at County Clerk's offices and runs through November 4. Expanded early voting begins October 21 and polls will be open until November 4. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, polling locations are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. Can I vote by mail? All registered voters are eligible to vote by mail. Voting by mail, also known as absentee voting, is great, because you don't have to physically go to a polling place, just put your ballot in the mail or a designated drop box prior to the election. Plus, it's easy - you can request an absentee ballot at nmvote.org. You can also request an absentee ballot from your county clerk website where you can print and mail an absentee ballot application. October 10 is the first day absentee ballots can be mailed to voters who submitted the application. Absentee ballots must be returned to the county clerk by 7 PM on Election Day, so mail your ballot no later than October 31, or hand-deliver it to a location designated by the clerk. (This may include drop boxes, depending on your county.) Need to register to vote or update your registration? You can do this right now by going to nmvote.org and following the instructions you see there. After October 10, online and mail voter registration aren't available, but NO PROBLEM. You can register to vote in person at any polling location, the Motor Vehicle Department, the Human Services Department, public libraries, colleges, universities, and at organized voter registration drives. You can also just go to your polling place and register right there, right then. This is called "same-day registration" and is available at the polls during the early voting period, right up to, and including, Election Day. Can I preview the ballot? Yes! And it's a good idea! You can also take your marked-up sample ballot into the polling booth with you, so you never need to worry about whether you will remember who to vote for. Sample ballot information is available to help voters prepare to cast ballots; go to your county clerk website or call for a sample ballot. The Secretary of State has the 2022 Local Election Contest/Candidate list here. Also, the New Mexico League of Women Voters has a great site where you can see a preview of each specific ballot for your area - just fill in the information and see your ballot. https://www.vote411.org/ Learn more here at the NM Secretary of State's office. |