New Mexico General Election
Last update: Oct 25, 2026 01:06 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 24, 2026 01:22 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
New Mexico offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in New Mexico by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
New Mexico allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. New Mexico offers early voting.
9 days to Election Day!
- Early voting has started! You can vote early until Oct 31. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Visit the New Mexico website to find where to vote.
- You may need to confirm your identity when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on New Mexico's website.
What key changes should voters know about?
- Beginning July 1, 2025, New Mexico now offers automatic voter registration for eligible individuals at the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). This is due to a new law in New Mexico.
- Beginning July 1, 2025, if you are an unaffiliated voter, you can vote in a party primary election without becoming affiliated with that party. This is due to a new law in New Mexico.
Visit the New Mexico Secretary of State website or contact your local election office to learn more.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot and sign up to receive additional information on New Mexico’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the New Mexico Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on New Mexico's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in New Mexico.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check New Mexico’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in New Mexico before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn't include a copy of ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- photo ID
- student ID card
- ID issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo
- a copy of a utility bill
- bank statement
- government check
- paycheck
- other government document that shows your name and current address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may be asked to provide a verbal or written statement to confirm your identity.
Please note that some municipal jurisdictions in New Mexico do have voter ID ordinances in place that require voter ID be presented to vote in city elections. This includes the City of Rio Rancho.
Can I register to vote online?
- New Mexico offers online voter registration.
- To register online in New Mexico, you need a Social Security number and either a New Mexico Driver’s License or a New Mexico Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) ID. If you don’t have a New Mexico-issued ID, you can still register by mail.
Can I vote early?
Yes, New Mexico offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- You may register to vote or update your registration in person during the early voting period. Visit the New Mexico Secretary of State website to learn more.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 6 and Oct 31. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check New Mexico's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
If you've voted in New Mexico before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn't include a copy of ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- photo ID
- student ID card
- ID issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo
- a copy of a utility bill
- bank statement
- government check
- paycheck
- other government document that shows your name and current address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may be asked to provide a verbal or written statement to confirm your identity.
Please note that some municipal jurisdictions in New Mexico do have voter ID ordinances in place that require voter ID be presented to vote in city elections. This includes the City of Rio Rancho.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the New Mexico voter registration form.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in New Mexico, you must provide ONE of the following forms of identification:
- New Mexico driver's license number
- New Mexico ID card number
- last four digits of your Social Security number
Box 7 - Choice of Party: If you want to participate in New Mexico partisan primary elections, you should register with the major political party whose primary you would like to vote in. If you are an unaffiliated voter, you can vote in a major political party’s primary election without becoming affiliated with that party.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in New Mexico and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide a COPY of proof of identification with your application OR show acceptable documentation when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card, or other government document that shows your name and current address (includes tribal ID) More information about these requirements is available on the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office. You can also mail your application to the New Mexico Secretary of State.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
In New Mexico, any registered voter can request to get a ballot by mail. Request a mail ballot online using the New Mexico Absentee Ballot Application system. You can also complete a mail ballot application and mail or return it in person to your local election office. Your application must be received by your local election office no later than 14 days before Election Day.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Find a ballot drop off location near you.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
New Mexico does offer registration when voting in person on Election Day and during the early voting period. You will need to present an acceptable form of identification when registering and voting at the same time.
Visit the New Mexico Secretary of State website for more information.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- You can also register to vote and cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
- Learn more by visiting the New Mexico Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 6 - Oct 31
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 3
- Online : Oct 6
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 6
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 20
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. MST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 3 by 7:00 p.m. MST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
If you've voted in New Mexico before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.
If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail, and didn't include a copy of ID when you registered, you will need to show ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- photo ID
- student ID card
- ID issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo
- a copy of a utility bill
- bank statement
- government check
- paycheck
- other government document that shows your name and current address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may be asked to provide a verbal or written statement to confirm your identity.
Please note that some municipal jurisdictions in New Mexico do have voter ID ordinances in place that require voter ID be presented to vote in city elections. This includes the City of Rio Rancho.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the New Mexico Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in New Mexico you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be a resident of the State of New Mexico
- be 18 years of age at the time of the next election
- not currently be incarcerated for a felony conviction, or currently be in the re-entry process at a correctional facility after a felony conviction
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in New Mexico. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using New Mexico's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In New Mexico, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in New Mexico. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.