2026 General Election Dates
Tuesday, October 6: First day that absentee ballots are mailed AND first day of Early Vote at County Clerk’s offices
Saturday, October 17: First day of expanded Early Voting
Saturday, October 20: Last day to request an absentee ballot
Saturday October 31: Last day of Early Voting
Tuesday, November 03: Election Day! Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This information was last updated October 6, 2026
Voter Registration
Qualifications: you must be a US citizen, a resident of New Mexico, and at least 18 years old by election day. If you are not sure if you are registered or not, check here.
Online registration: Use this portal to update your voter registration or register for the first time in NM. You will need to provide the following information, and it must match what is on record: name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license or state ID.
By mail: Use the paper application (English / Español) and mail it to your to your County Clerk’s Office.
In-person and same-day registration: You can register in person at your County Clerk’s office, and you can also register at any polling location when you go to vote. In order to take advantage of Same Day Registration, you will need to bring (1) a New Mexico driver’s license or New Mexico identification card issued through the motor vehicle division; (2) any document that contains an address in the county together with a photo identification card; or (3) a current valid student photo identification card from a post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico accompanied by a current student fee statement that contains the student’s address in the county.
Vote by mail / Absentee ballot
No excuse is required to request and submit an absentee ballot.
Requesting an absentee ballot: You can request an absentee ballot online or print and return a hard copy application. Absentee ballot requests must be received no later than the close of business on the due date stated above. However, it would be wise to do it much earlier to ensure your ballot is received by you and can be returned in time. You can check the status of your absentee ballot application here. If you do not receive an absentee ballot that you requested, please contact your County Clerk’s Office. If you don’t receive the ballot, you will still be able to vote in person by filling out an affidavit.
Permanent absentee voters: Voters whose absentee ballots are sent to an in-state address can check a box on the absentee ballot application to automatically be sent an absentee ballot for each statewide (not city or special district) election.
Completing your absentee ballot: Absentee ballots must be signed on the outer envelope, and you must enter the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Be sure to follow all instructions, as improperly sealed ballots or those that lack signatures may be deemed invalid.
Return your Absentee Ballot: You can return your absentee ballot in the following ways:
- Mail it in the envelope provided. The post office recommends you mail the ballot 14 days before the election.
- Deposit it in a dropbox at any early or election day voting location or at other dropbox locations in your county. You can find voting locations and the locations of additional dropboxes by calling your County Clerk or by checking the Clerk’s website.
- A caregiver or immediate family member may deliver a voter’s absentee ballot in person or by mail.
Early in-person voting
Early voting begins at your County Clerk’s office and at expanded locations later. Check the SOS portal – NMvote.gov – to find the exact dates, locations, and get a sample ballot.
Intimidation
If you witness or are a victim of intimidation or discriminatory conduct, you should report it to the Secretary of State’s Office.
New for 2026: semi-open primaries
New Mexico has semi-open primary elections, effective July 1, 2025. This means that:
Major party voters may participate in the primary elections of the major party with which they are registered 28 days before Election Day. Once voting has started, voters registered with one major party cannot change the party on their voter registration to vote in the primary elections of another major party.
Voters who have not registered with a qualified major or minor party (including “declined-to-state” or “independent” voters) can also participate by selecting a major party’s ballot and vote, without changing the political party on their voter registration.
Voters registered with a qualified minor party may update the political party on their voter registration to either a major party (Republican or Democratic) or “Declined-to-State”/Independent before the election or through same day voter registration at a polling location and vote in the primary election.
For more information, check out this page.
Why are voting rights not just a lawful right, but a privilege?
Why is your right to exercise your vote and make your voice heard vital?
Read Sharon King’s article on Pivotal Moments of the Development of the Voting Rights Act.
2026 General Election Endorsements
Word to the wise: Early voting is election protection
2026 Primary Endorsements