Absentee Voting

Voting in the 2024 general election has begun in New Mexico, where early in-person voting is underway and absentee ballots are being sent out to those who requested them. For the first time, thousands of voters will find a ballot in their mailbox even though they did not submit a new application for this election.

The online application for absentee ballots for the June 4 New Mexico primary election opened Wednesday. For the first time, the application offers voters the option to receive an absentee ballot for all future elections, as well.

This is the first year that New Mexicans can choose to receive an absentee ballot for every election. Previously, they had to submit a new request each time. However, the online application is not yet available.

Until now, New Mexico voters who wanted to cast an absentee ballot had to request one for each election. That has now changed with the creation of a permanent absentee voter list.

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, is Election Day across New Mexico. Whether or not a particular municipality is participating in the Regular Local Election this year, all 33 counties will hold a vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 24, is the last day to request an absentee ballot for the 2023 Regular Local Election. Some states require voters to have an excuse to vote absentee, but not New Mexico.

Bills aiming to create broader and safer participation in New Mexico elections continued to move swiftly in both chambers of the Legislature Monday.

Democratic sponsors of the New Mexico Voting Rights Act say more people would be registered to vote and have access to the ballot were it to become law. Many Republicans argued on the House floor late into the night Tuesday that certain provisions could compromise election security. The House backed the bill after three hours of debate.

If you’re heading to the polls in New Mexico to vote on Election Day today, Nov. 8, 2022, they are open until 7 p.m. There are other considerations if you requested an absentee ballot or have yet to register to vote. Here's what you need to know as you head to the polls, including your rights as a New Mexico voter.

On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll discuss voters and voting. We’ll talk over the latest numbers for early and absentee voting and discuss what we can glean about voting trends through early voting, demographic changes in our region and what kinds of voting policies and voter education could help foster a stronger democracy.