New Mexico Voting Guide

There are specific requirements to vote in New Mexico elections. To vote in primary and general elections, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Be a resident of New Mexico

• Be 18 years or older on the next election day

The state of New Mexico doesn’t allow you to vote if:

• The courts have declared you mentally incompetent

• You are currently incarcerated for a felony

Once you have been released, you can vote even if you are on parole or probation.

You can confirm your registration status on the New Mexico voting site.

Where Do I Vote?

Your residence determines where you’ll cast your ballot. To find your polling place, enter your address into the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Polling Place Lookup.

New Mexico’s Registration Deadlines

If you don’t register to vote before the deadline, you won’t receive ballot information before the next local election. The deadlines for each type of voter registration in New Mexico are:

• Online: 28 days before the election
• By Mail: The documents must be postmarked at least 28 days before the election

If you miss the deadline, you can register to vote or update your voter registration at any polling location on Election Day. Under New Mexico’s Voting Rights Act, voters have access to same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration through the MVD.

Early voting can be accessed at specific locations and schedules determined by your county clerk. You can confirm this information on the state’s voter information portal. This site will also provide details on when the upcoming elections will take place.

How Do I Request an Absentee Ballot in New Mexico?

To request an absentee ballot, visit the New Mexico Absentee Ballot Application website. You can contact your local county clerk in person, by mail, or by phone to request a ballot. You can also download an absentee ballot application, fill it out, and submit it to your local county clerk.

You do not need to provide a reason for absentee voting in New Mexico. State officials understand that not everybody can or wants to vote in person. It’s not always possible to cast your ballot at early voting locations.

Once election officials approve your application for absentee voting, they’ll send the ballot to your home address. You can also request to be added to New Mexico’s permanent absentee ballot list. If you would prefer not to go to polling places, you can choose to receive mail-in ballots each election.

Provisional Ballots

If your name does not appear on the voter registration record at your polling location, or you are a new registrant who did not send your registration information in within 28 days of the election, you will receive a provisional ballot at the polls. You may also request a provisional ballot if you made a mistake on your absentee ballot and wish to correct it.

You will need to sign an affidavit confirming your identity and provide information so the election officials can verify your residency and voter registration after the election. If your voting information is not confirmed, your ballot will be discarded.

What Do I Need To Bring to the Polls in New Mexico?

In most cases, registered voters don’t need photo identification to vote. There are some exceptions. If you register to vote for the first time by mail and do not include a copy of your ID, you must show a valid ID at the polling place. The city of Rio Rancho has an ordinance requiring voters to show a nonpartisan ID only for municipal elections. Albuquerque repealed a similar ordinance in 2021.

What Special Accommodations Are Available?

New Mexico prides itself on providing accessibility for all. Accommodations are available at New Mexico polls for:

• Visually impaired individuals and those with reading disabilities
• Mentally disabled individuals under conservatorship, as long as they are able to indicate their voting preference
• Individuals in nursing homes or other healthcare settings

If you have a disability, you can ask for assistance at the polls. You can choose a person to help you, as long as that person is not a candidate, your employer, or a union representative.

What To Do if You See Something Illegal at the Polls

New Mexico law prohibits voter intimidation and electioneering at voting sites. Voter intimidation consists of:

• Intimidating, threatening, or harassing voters
• Blocking entrances or exits
• Distributing misleading information about election dates or locations
• Vandalism of polling places or drop boxes
• Brandishing weapons or impersonating a law enforcement officer to harass voters or poll workers

Electioneering is where people make campaign speeches, distribute campaign literature, wear campaign clothing, or solicit votes within 100 feet of a polling location.

If you see something at a state election that you believe is illegal, don’t attempt to engage with the individuals yourself. Instead, notify election officials and fill out a Complaint Form to submit to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office. The Office does not investigate anonymous complaints.

If the activity appears dangerous or violent, contact law enforcement. Keep in mind that knowingly making a false voting violation claim is a crime.

A New Mexico Voting Rights Lawyer Can Help

If someone has limited or violated your voting rights, consult a New Mexico civil rights attorney. They can assist you with correcting any voting rights issues and determining if your other civil rights have been violated.