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? National, State, and local offices are on the ballot including our 3 congressional district seats - go Gabe Vasquez!, the Governor's race, the Secretary of State race and many more. There will also be local bond issues, and three New Mexico constitutional amendments are on the ballot. It's extremely important that you vote. Without exaggeration, this is a critical year, and your vote counts. 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 8, 2022). When can I vote? Early voting starts October 11, 2022 at County Clerk's offices and runs through November 5. Expanded early voting begins October 22 and polls will be open until November 5. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, polling locations are open from 7 AM to 7 PM. What about Absentee Voting? Absentee voting is great, because you don't have to physically go to a polling place, just put it 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's website where you can print and mail an absentee ballot application. October 11 was 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 November 3, 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? After October 11, 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. Same-day registration will be available at the polls during the early voting period, right up to, and including, Election Day. Can I preview the ballot? 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 which gives you a preview of each local ballot - just fill in the information and see your ballot. https://www.vote411.org/ Learn more here at the NM Secretary of State's office or check out the video below. |