Voting and Elections

Do I need to present identification when I vote?

• You do not have to present identification to vote in a statewide election. When registering for the first time in New Mexico, you must submit a copy of (1) a current and valid photo identification; or (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address. If you do not submit the required identification with your mailed-in, first time registration, then you will be required to present one of the forms of identification when voting in person or absentee.
• Some municipal jurisdictions in New Mexico have ordinances in place that require voter id be presented to vote in city elections.  This includes the City of Rio Rancho.

What identification do I need to provide when I vote?

A physical form of identification is only required for first-time New Mexico voters who registered by mail and did not include identification with their voter registration application form.

Otherwise, you will be asked to provide a verbal or written statement of identification including your name, year of birth, and registered address.

Can I vote if my status is “inactive”?

• Yes, an “inactive” status does not prohibit any registered voter to vote. You will vote like usual and your status will return to “active.”

How can military and overseas voters participate in voting in an election?

• Information, deadlines and eligibility requirements for military and overseas voters can be found Here.

How much does it cost to mail my Absentee Ballot?

Return postage is pre-paid.

The outer envelope of my Absentee Ballot requests an AV Register Number. Do I fill this out?

You can leave that information blank. This information is for internal use only.

Can others find out how I voted?

By law, your ballot is secret and no one can find out how you voted. Certain portions of your voter registration record, including party affiliation and whether or not you vote in a particular election, is public record and may be requested. Voter registration record information is most often requested by political parties and candidates.

If I am unable to mail my Absentee ballot, who is allowed to drop it off and where?

Pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 1-6-10.1, a voter, caregiver to that voter or member of that voter’s “immediate family” defined as a person’s spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters may deliver a voter’s absentee ballot to the county clerk in person or by mail.

How do I correctly write-in a candidate on my ballot?

When casting the write-in vote, fill in the oval and write the name of the declared write-in candidate. Unless both of these requirements are fulfilled, the vote will not be counted.