Last update: Oct 31, 2024 17:00 p.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 31, 2024 08:33 a.m. UTC
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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.
What are key deadlines for the November 2024 election?
Registration deadlines
- In person during early voting : Oct 8 - Nov 2
- In-person at voting location on Election Day : Nov 5
- Online : Oct 8
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 8
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 22
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 5 by 7:00 p.m. MST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 5 by 7:00 p.m. MST
Registration Top Actions
Voting Top Actions
Can I register to vote online?
- New Mexico offers online voter registration.
- You should know: you need a New Mexico ID and a Social Security number to use New Mexico's online voter registration system. If you don't have a New Mexico-issued ID, you can still register by mail to vote.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on New Mexico’s website.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Use the National Voter Registration Form
- Print and fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Box 6 - ID Number: Your full Social Security number is required. This registration card containing your Social Security number will become part of the permanent voter registration records of your locality, which are open to inspection by the public in the office of the county clerk. However, your Social Security number and date of birth will remain confidential and will not be disclosed to the public. Computerized listings of limited voter registration information (without Social Security number or birth date) are available to the general public, and are furnished upon request to incumbent election officeholders, candidates, political parties, courts, and non‐profit organizations promoting voter participation and registration, for political purposes only (Sec.1-5-19B, NMSA 1978).
- Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in New Mexico partisan primary elections. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.
- Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
- Review the "Who can register to vote?" section above and check that you're eligible.
- Sign the form.
- Send the completed form to your local election office
- If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing this registration application, Federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes:
- A current and valid photo identification or
- A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.
- More information here.
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.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can register to vote in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the New Mexico Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
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.
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 have been denied the right to vote by a court of law by reason of mental incapacity and, if convicted of a felony, have served the entirety of a sentence or have been granted a pardon by the Governor. You can register to vote and vote even if you are on probation or parole.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
New Mexico does offer in person registration on Election Day at your voting location. You should bring one of these forms of identification:
- New Mexico driver’s license or identification card issued through the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department;
- any document that contains an address in the county AND a photo identification card; or
- a current valid student photo identification card from a New Mexico post-secondary educational institution AND a current student fee statement that contains the student’s address in the county
You may also register and vote in person at the same time during the early voting period. Contact your local election office to learn more.
Can I register to vote before I turn 18?
You can register to vote in New Mexico before you turn 18 if you:
You must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in a political primary election if you will turn 18 on or before the day of the general election immediately succeeding the primary election. You may also vote in a statewide or special election if you will be 18 on or before the day of the statewide or special election.
- are 18 on or before New Mexico's next general election, which is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
- are a United States citizen
- are a resident of New Mexico
- have not been denied the right to vote by a court of law due to reason of mental incapacity
- are not currently incarcerated in New Mexico for a felony offense
You must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in a political primary election if you will turn 18 on or before the day of the general election immediately succeeding the primary election. You may also vote in a statewide or special election if you will be 18 on or before the day of the statewide or special election.
Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?
Yes, you can register online on the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
To register using the New Mexico online voter registration system, you are required to provide your Social Security number and ONE of the following ID numbers:
- New Mexico driver’s license
- New Mexico state ID
If you don’t have a New Mexico-issued ID, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?
Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.
When submitting your application by mail in New Mexico, you are required to provide your Social Security number.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in New Mexico and you mail your registration application, you must include a copy of proof of identity with your form or present ID when voting in person or absentee. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo identification
- 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)
Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?
Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in New Mexico:
- New Mexico Secretary of State’s office
- County Clerk
- Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
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, 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.
- 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 will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
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 can I check the status of my ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on New Mexico’s site.
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.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 8 and Nov 2. 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 will be able to vote a provisional ballot.
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 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.
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.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View your sample ballot on the New Mexico Secretary of State's website. Available ballot information may vary depending on the upcoming election.
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
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.