Voting and Elections

Who is eligible to register to vote?

To register to vote in New Mexico, you must be:

• A U.S. Citizen;
• A New Mexico resident
• At least 18 years old.

Important Information for U.S. residents residing outside of the U.S.:If you reside outside of the U.S., you may vote in New Mexico if New Mexico was the last place you lived before moving outside the U.S. This is the case even if you moved away many years ago and no longer maintain a residence in New Mexico. If you never resided in New Mexico, however, you were born to parents whose last U.S. residence was New Mexico, you are eligible to register and vote here.

How do I register to vote?

You may register to vote using one of the following methods:

• Online Voter Registration (must have a NM issued driver’s license or state id card);
• Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)
• New Mexico Voter Registration Form
• The declaration accompanying a federal write-in ballot with an army post office, fleet post office, diplomatic post office, or other overseas mailing address and mail it to the county clerk where you last resided in New Mexico.

You may submit your application via mail or email to your local county clerk’s office. If you do not know which county clerk you should submit your application to, send it to the Secretary of State for routing.

An FPCA is also considered a request for an absentee ballot. Please submit a new FPCA each year in order to continue to receive an absentee ballot for each election.

What is the deadline to register to vote?

The deadline to register to vote is 28 days prior to an election.

I am already registered to vote in New Mexico, how do I request a ballot?

Complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or a New Mexico Absentee Ballot Application.

How do I return my ballot?

Voters covered under New Mexico’s Uniform Military and Overseas Voter Act may choose to have their ballot sent to them via mail, email, secure web portal or fax. Voters are then able to return their ballot via mail, secure web portal, email or fax provided that:

• The ballot is received in the county clerk’s office by the close of polls (7:00 p.m.) on election day
• The voter signs an affidavit waiving the right of secrecy of their ballot
• The federal qualified elector transmits the affidavit with the military-overseas ballot.
• NEW: Voters covered under New Mexico’s Uniform Military and Overseas Voter Act who request to receive their ballot via email will now receive a link to a secure portal for ballot transmission. No printer is required.
• Eligible voters will be sent via email a link to our new ballot marking portal.
• Marked ballots and affidavits will be securely transmitted directly to the county clerk’s office.
• Marked ballots must still be received by the close of polls (7:00 p.m. local time) on election day.

How do I keep my registration up-to-date?

Please complete and submit a new FPCA whenever you move or each election year. This ensures that your absentee ballot gets sent to the right address.

What if I applied for an absentee ballot but it is late or has not arrived?

County clerks are able to begin sending out ballots to qualified voters beginning 45 days prior to each election. If you have applied for a ballot and have not received it, please contact your local county clerk’s office.

Additionally, you may submit the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). The FWAB is an alternative ballot for overseas and uniformed services voters whose ballots are late.

Who else is eligible to vote under the New Mexico Uniform Military and Overseas Act?

Emergency response providers may request and receive a ballot in the same manner as provided above, however, they may NOT use the federal postcard application or the federal write-in absentee ballot.

An “emergency response provider” is a resident of New Mexico who otherwise satisfies this state’s voter eligibility requirements and who, in response to an emergency, is temporarily assigned by a governmental or nongovernmental relief agency or employer to provide support to the victims of the emergency or to rebuild the infrastructure in the affected area and:

• The assignment is for a period beginning on or after the thirty-five days immediately prior to an election
• The affected area is outside the individual’s county of residence
• The President of the United States or the governor of a state has declared an emergency in the affected area.

I have more questions. Who can help me?

Please send an email or call the Secretary of State’s Office at (800) 477-3632 or your local county clerk’s office.

If you think you are already registered to vote in New Mexico, use My Registration Information to check your registration status and voter information.

Where can I find more information?

To learn more about registering and voting for military voters and voters who reside outside the U.S., visit: Overseas Vote Foundation Federal Voting Assistance Program