Polls open Tuesday for primary elections: Here's what to know

The primary elections Tuesday will decide one significant Bernalillo County race and narrow the field in several others.

Polling places will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and voters in Bernalillo County can cast their ballot at any of the 72 polling locations.

“Voting is a fundamental right and a crucial part of our democracy. Every vote counts, and your participation makes a difference,” County Clerk Linda Stover said.

The race for Bernalillo County district attorney between incumbent Sam Bregman and challenger Damon Martinez will be decided in the Democratic primary. The winner currently faces no opposition in November’s general election.

The primaries will also eliminate Democratic candidates for Bernalillo County treasurer, and District 2 and District 3 county commission seats. Incumbent District 3 Commissioner Adriann Barboa is facing Robert Padilla and Laura Nasaria Chavez. The winner will face Republican Rene Coronado.

The number of Bernalillo County clerk candidates will be cut in half with Tuesday’s primary results. Two Republicans, Robert Kwasny and Clayton Pryor, and two Democrats, Michelle Kavanaugh and Karen Montoya, are vying to replace outgoing County Clerk Linda Stover. The winner in their party’s primary will faceoff in November.

All 112 seats in the Democratic-controlled Legislature are on this year’s general election ballot. In many of the races, the winner of the primary election won’t face opposition in the fall’s general election.

In state congressional races, two Republicans are vying for the nomination in District 1, where U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury is the incumbent. They are Steve Jones of Ruidoso and Louie Sanchez of Albuquerque. Only one of New Mexico’s two U.S. senators is up for reelection this year. Democrat U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has no primary opponent but faces Republican Nella Domenici in the general election.

Only voters who affiliate with a major party can cast their ballot during New Mexico’s primary. The major parties in New Mexico are Democrat, Libertarian and Republican. Voters registered to a major party can only cast a ballot in that party’s primary.

Voters who are registered decline-to-state or with a minor party can vote in the primary election by updating their registration to a major party, which can be done on primary election day at the polling location.

Voter registration requirements

Same-day voter registration is available in New Mexico.

To cast a ballot in New Mexico, voters must be New Mexico residents, U.S. citizens and 18 or older.

Voters cannot have been denied the right to vote by a court of law because of mental incapacity.

People who are incarcerated for a felony offense can’t vote while in prison or jail but can register after release, even if they are on parole or probation.

For same-day registration, voters need a New Mexico driver’s license or ID card from the Motor Vehicle Division or the Taxation and Revenue Department; any document that contains an address in the county together with a photo identification; or a current valid student photo ID from a post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico with a current student fee statement with the student’s address in the county.

Polling Locations

To find a map of all of the voting convenience centers in Bernalillo County, visit berncoclerk.gov/elections/election-day-voting.

To find a map of all of the polling sites in Sandoval County, visit sandovalcountynm.gov/countyclerk/bureau-of-elections/elections/voting-options/all-polling-sites.