Featured

Early voting ends Saturday: here's what you need to know

20241019-news-cb-earlyvoting-04.jpg
Belem Tamayo fills out her ballot during expanded early voting at the Bernalillo County Visitor Center in the South Valley on Oct. 19.
20241019-news-cb-earlyvoting-06.jpg
Belem Tamayo holds an election guide while waiting in line to vote during expanded early voting at the Bernalillo County Visitor Center in the South Valley on Oct. 19.
Nakayla Mcclelland Nakayla Mcclelland Nakayla Mcclelland Journal Staff Writer
Published Modified

Information for voters with disabilities

Voters with disabilities

Those with visual disabilities who still wish to vote privately and independently have the option of requesting use of accessible voting equipment.

The Accessible Voting Session allows you to do the following:

View the ballot paper and large LCD screen.

Change screen color scheme, contrast and font size.

Use headphones to allow the system to read the ballot to you, using the tactile interface.

Use an integrated ballot marking device that does not require the voter to manipulate the ballot and has low force buttons for voter interface.

Those with a visual disability also have the option of bringing someone to assist with voting. This person cannot be an employer, an agent of an employer, an agent or officer of a union, or a candidate on the ballot. Designated election workers can also assist anybody voting.

Same day voter registration

Same day voter registration

New Mexicans who are eligible can register to vote or update their voter registration the same day at county clerk offices, participating early voting locations or any polling location on Election Day.

As of Friday, 18,241 people had utilized same-day voter registration.

For same-day voter registration, voters must bring a physical ID that has been issued through state or federal government, federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblos educational institution.

The ID must contain your name and photo. The form of ID must have your address or you must bring a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document issued by an educational institution or government, including a document issued by a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, dated within the 90 days prior to the qualified elector registering to vote.

Same-day voter registration is only available for voters voting in person, on the same day, at the same time they register to vote or update their voter registration at an in-person (early or Election Day) polling location.

The last day of early voting is Saturday, and Election Day is Tuesday, but a huge number of people have already cast their votes in New Mexico, according to political expert Brian Sanderoff.

Approximately 41% of New Mexicans (563,000 voters) have participated in absentee or early voting, with 47.1% registered as Democrat, 36.7% registered as Republican and 15% registered as independent or decline to state.

“Perhaps the most interesting thing we’ve seen thus far is that Republicans are voting at a higher rate than Democrats, showing that 47.5% of the Republicans have already voted, compared to 45% of the Democrats and 26% of the independents,” said Sanderoff, president of Research & Polling Inc. “So Republicans are voting at a higher rate than Democrats who have voted thus far.”

Sanderoff said New Mexicans are utilizing early voting at higher numbers.

“Among the people who vote, more will have voted before Election Day than on Election Day,” he said. “People in New Mexico have become very accustomed to voting before Election Day.”

Counties with legislative battles are more likely to vote in higher numbers, Sanderoff said.

“Sometimes legislative battles can drive competition,” he said. “The legislators are at ground zero, they’re knocking on the doors there, and they can really play a much more efficient role in driving turnout.”

Voters who still have an absentee ballot can drop it off at any polling location.

The ballot must be delivered by 7 p.m. on Election Day. You can track the status of your absentee application or ballot through the Secretary of State’s Ballot Scout module at sos.nm.gov/trackmyballot.

All voting locations will be open from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Election Day.

If you have a medical emergency and cannot make it to vote in person, an emergency provisional ballot may be issued. You will need to provide a written request for an absentee ballot to your local county clerk that is signed by you and your health care provider under penalty of perjury. Once approved, authorized representatives can bring the ballot and return it to a polling location on your behalf.

Registered voters may vote at any early voting polling locations. Hours for early voting locations may vary. Visit nmvote.org or contact your local county clerk to find voting locations near you.

news elections state new_mexico_news
Powered by Labrador CMS