New Mexico early in-person voting surpasses 2022 midterm turnout
New Mexico early in-person voting has surpassed 2022 levels. Here's what voters need to know about Nov. 3 polling hours, absentee ballots and election results.
More than 456,000 voters have cast ballots ahead of Tuesday's election, and state officials say all polling locations are expected to open despite weekend severe weather
Organ Mountain News report
SANTA FE - More New Mexicans have voted early in person ahead of Tuesday's general election than during the entire early voting period for the 2022 midterm election, according to figures released Monday by the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office.
As of Monday morning, 456,726 voters had cast ballots in the 2026 general election, including 385,114 who voted early in person. That compares with 353,569 early in-person ballots cast in 2022 — an increase of 31,545 voters, or about 8.9%.
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver also said all Election Day polling locations are expected to open as planned Tuesday, Nov. 3, despite severe weather that affected parts of New Mexico over the weekend.
Polling locations expected to open despite storms
The Secretary of State's Office said it has been communicating with county clerks and state agencies following the weekend's severe weather. As of Monday, officials expected all Election Day polling locations to be accessible to voters.
Polling places statewide will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Registered voters may cast ballots at any polling location within their county. Voters can find locations, hours, sample ballots and same-day registration information at NMVote.org.
The Secretary of State's Office also reminded voters that those who have lost physical identification documents may still provide required identification information verbally when voting in person.
Voters should contact their county clerk for the latest information if severe weather creates additional disruptions.
Mail ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. Tuesday
The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail has passed. Voters who still have completed mail ballots should return them in person rather than place them in the mail.
Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday at an authorized polling location, official election drop box or county clerk's office in the county where the voter is registered.
Voters who requested an absentee ballot but never received it may still vote in person by signing a form affirming they will not vote by mail.
Election results and counting procedures
Unofficial election results will become available after polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the New Mexico Secretary of State's election results website.
Under state law, election workers must pause ballot tabulation and tallying at 11 p.m. on election night. If counting remains unfinished, election boards will reconvene the following day to continue their work.
The Secretary of State's Office encouraged voters to rely on election officials for accurate information and to be cautious about misinformation circulating online and on social media.
Voters can review the state's election misinformation fact-checking resource and find additional election information at NMVote.org or sos.nm.gov/goodquestions.
