Copyright © 2022 Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE – About 12% of registered voters in New Mexico have already cast their ballots in the Nov. 8 election – either at early-voting locations or by absentee.
More than 165,000 ballots have been cast so far, according to figures released Thursday by the Secretary of State’s Office.
But, this year’s turnout is no longer running dramatically ahead of 2018, the last midterm election, when 56% of registered voters cast ballots.
The initial surge in voting this month may have been the result of voters choosing to cast their ballots earlier in the cycle, not a sign of increased participation overall.
But there’s still plenty of time for another surge.
Through Thursday, however, the number of ballots cast this year is roughly in line with the 163,000 who had cast ballots at this point in the 2018 cycle.
About 55% of those who have cast ballots so far are Democrats.
Republicans had cast 33% of the votes and independents about 11%, through Thursday morning. The remaining ballots are from Libertarian or minor party voters.
Visit NMVote.org for sample ballots, early voting sites and other information.
Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark urged voters to keep in mind that it may take seven days for an absentee ballot to arrive by mail. They must be returned to the county by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters, Clark said, are welcome to return their absentee ballots at drop boxes operated by the county any time and “have peace of mind knowing their ballot is secure and will certainly be counted on Election Day.”
