By Damien Willis on May 29, 2026

Nearly 8 in 10 participating Doña Ana County independents choose Democratic ballots

Nearly 8 in 10 participating independent voters in Doña Ana County selected Democratic ballots in New Mexico’s new semi-open primary as turnout surpassed 10,000 votes.

More than 10,000 ballots have been cast in Doña Ana County ahead of the June 2 primary election, with nearly 8 in 10 participating independent voters choosing Democratic ballots under New Mexico’s new semi-open primary system. (Janine Robinson / Unsplash)

Doña Ana County has surpassed 10,000 ballots cast ahead of Saturday’s early voting deadline and remains fourth in New Mexico for total turnout.

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - Nearly 8 in 10 participating independent voters in Doña Ana County have chosen Democratic ballots in New Mexico's first semi-open primary election, according to new data released Friday by the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office.

The latest figures show 845 decline-to-state voters in Doña Ana County selected Democratic ballots, compared with 240 who chose Republican ballots. Three additional voters registered with other minor parties selected Republican ballots, while five chose Democratic ballots.

The numbers offer one of the clearest local snapshots yet of how voters are responding to New Mexico's new semi-open primary system, which allows decline-to-state voters to participate in either major party's primary without changing their voter registration.

The latest data also show that 10,271 ballots have been cast in Doña Ana County ahead of Saturday's final day of early voting.

That total includes 6,693 Democratic ballots, 2,484 Republican ballots, 1,085 decline-to-state ballots and nine ballots cast by voters affiliated with minor parties.

Doña Ana County remains fourth statewide in total turnout, trailing only Bernalillo County, Santa Fe County and Sandoval County.

Statewide, 139,928 ballots had been cast as of Friday. Democrats accounted for 83,395 votes, Republicans for 42,889 and decline-to-state voters for 13,466.

The Secretary of State's Office also reported that Doña Ana County voters had requested 6,638 absentee ballots. The county recorded 97 same-day voter registrations, including 54 Democrats, 20 Republicans and 23 decline-to-state voters.

Saturday is the final day of early voting before the June 2 primary election. Polls on Election Day will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout New Mexico.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.

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