Be a Voter!

Early voting starts October 8
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General Election is November 5

​Not yet registered to vote? Go here.

What's on the ballot this year? Check out the Blue Voter Guide.

Our Congressman, Gabe Vasquez, is on the ballot. Lots of other offices and ballot measures will be on there too, and it can be overwhelming. BUT there is help! Go to the Blue Voter Guide and enter your address to create your sample ballot with progressive choices.  You can even print it out and use it as a reference when you go to vote. 
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Your information will not be retained or shared by Blue Voter Guide.

Click below and scroll down to watch this brief how-to video on the Blue Voter Guide site!

Questions about voting? Click on the blue bars below to get the answers.

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 5, 2024). You may register NOW, even though you are only 17, as long as you will be 18 by November 5.

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.

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.

New this year - PERMANENT absentee ballots!
Registered voters in New Mexico for the first time can join a permanent list to receive an absentee ballot by mail in future elections. The Secretary of State’s office is accepting online requests for absentee ballots ahead of the June 5 primary on the website NMVote.org, where qualified voters can opt in to the permanent list. Previously, voters had to request an absentee ballot for each election in a voting process that could involve three or four mail deliveries. Deadline for requesting an absentee ballot before the primary is May 21, 2024.

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. If you’re voting in the 2024 General Election, you can also 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 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 at many locations (contact your county clerk), and everywhere on Election Day.
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Need a driver’s license?  In 2025, you’ll automatically be registered as a voter if you haven’t yet registered.
As of 2025, you can register to vote at the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD).

And check out our Register to Vote information page!

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.
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Available now! New Mexico Blue Voter Guide - this guide will break down every ballot throughout NM Congressional District 2 and show you what issues each candidate supports.  You can access it right here.
You can also learn more here at the NM Secretary of State’s office.

CAN MY SPOUSE FIND OUT WHO I VOTED FOR?

• ​Your voter registration information is public - this can include that you voted, your address, and the party you are registered for.
• Now here’s the important part - WHO you actually vote for on the ballot is NOT public information. You do not need to tell your spouse who you voted for, even if they ask. You can say, “that’s between me and the Ballot Box.” Your right to vote is part of our civil liberties, and your vote is your own – that being said, do whatever you need to do to remain safe.
• In a Presidential general election, you can vote for anyone on the ballot - and from any party. For example, if you are a registered Republican, you can vote for the Democratic nominee for President or Congress. You do not have to change your registered party to vote for a nominee in the other party.

WHY SHOULD I VOTE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT?

Voting all the way down the ballot gives you the satisfaction of having a real impact. The further “down ballot” you vote, the more you’ll see that impact in your day to day life, from highway construction to police budgets, neighborhood parks to school curriculum. The names “down ballot” are those state and local elected officials who are more accessible to you, and are more likely to be the ones that work with you through situations where the government—state or local—can help. And because fewer people vote for local candidates, your vote counts even more.

From the top of the ticket to the bottom, voting is a way to make change in your community and feel connected to the people you are voting for.