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NM readies to expand early voting, with more than 100,000 votes already cast in election
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SANTA FE — With more than 100,000 votes already cast in this year’s general election, New Mexico county clerks are set for expanded early voting to begin on Saturday.
The start of expanded early voting means additional polling locations will be open for voters to cast their ballots.
There are 20 early voting convenience centers in Bernalillo County alone, which will remain open from Monday through Saturday, through Nov. 2.
Meanwhile, a total of nine early voting locations are planned in Santa Fe County — not counting the county clerk’s office — and there will be eight such sites in Doña Ana County.
Until now, voting across New Mexico has generally been limited to in-person voting in county clerks’ offices and submitting absentee ballots — either by mail or in ballot drop boxes.
Entering Friday, a total of 104,811 votes had been cast around New Mexico since early voting began on Oct. 8.
Democrats are voting at a slightly higher clip than Republicans, as about 9.2% of registered Democrats have already voted compared to about 8.6% of registered Republicans.
Democrats also outnumber Republicans when it comes to total voter registration in New Mexico, with Democrats making up about 43% of the state’s more than 1.3 million voters and Republicans making up about 31% of all voters.
Independent voters, or those who decline to affiliate with a political party, make up the majority of the state’s remaining registered voters.
Meanwhile, New Mexico residents planning to vote via absentee ballot have until Oct. 22 to request a ballot.
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All absentee ballots must be submitted by the time polls close on Election Day — set for Nov. 5 — in order to be counted.
