New Mexico voter registration guide: Check voter registration status, options to vote
New Mexico voters should prepare to participate in presidential primaries in the first half of 2024.
A primary election is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2024, and the state's general election for Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Primary elections determine each qualified party's nomination of candidates for federal offices, and in certain cases include state and county offices.
Party candidates who win the primaries qualify to appear on the General Election ballot in November.
Remembering if you're registered to vote, or figuring out how to register for the first time, can be confusing so let's break it down.
VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS: Check to see if you're registered to vote in New Mexico.
How to register to vote in New Mexico
To be eligible to vote in New Mexico, you must meet the following three criteria: be a United States citizen; be a New Mexico resident; be at least 18 years old.
New Mexicans can register to vote at a polling location during early voting via same day registration, though certain documents are required.
New Mexico conducts closed primaries, so voters must be registered for one of the major parties to participate. Major parties recognized in New Mexico are New Mexico Democratic Party, New Mexico Republican Party, Libertarian Party of New Mexico. The Green Party of New Mexico is considered a minor party.
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How to vote in New Mexico
New Mexico offers various options to voters to participate in the election. Let's break them down.
Vote early in person
You can vote early in New Mexico 28 days before the election, according to Rock The Vote.
No excuse is required to vote early in New Mexico. Voting locations for 2024 primaries have yet to be announced.
Identification is not required to vote in New Mexico unless you are voting for the first time, or registered by mail and did not provide identification with your registration.
Valid forms of ID include:
A current and valid photo identification
A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck that shows your name and current address
A student identification card or other government document, including identification issue
Request a mail-in/absentee ballot
Registered voters can request a mail-in/absentee ballot online here for the 2024 primary election or by contacting a local County Clerk's office in person, by phone, mail or email. An application may also be downloaded and mailed in.
Find your County Clerk location here.
Eligible voters do not need an excuse to request a mail-in/absentee ballot.
Return your completed ballot
Voters may cast an absentee ballot at a local County Clerk's office, a drop box or early voting location.
All absentee ballots may be returned to the County Clerk’s Office or any Election Day polling location no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
In New Mexico you can track your absentee ballot here.
Voting in-person on Election Day
Voting in person on Election Day is the traditional voting method. Though polling locations in New Mexico counties have yet to be announced, once updated you can find location options here.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico voter registration guide: What to know if you're voting
