Elections

League of Women Voters^®
of Santa Fe County

Check here for dates of upcoming elections and information about voting.

Upcoming Elections. Voter Guides. Voting in NM. Voter's Rights. Election Q&A.

Upcoming Elections

General: November 2, 2010
Voter Registration Deadline: October 5
Santa Fe Public Schools
Board Election: February 8, 2011
Voter Registration Deadline: January 5
Santa Fe Community College
Board Election: March 8, 2011
Voter Registration Deadline: February 8

Voter Guides

About LWVSFC Voter Guides: The League of Women Voters provides nonpartisan information about candidates and ballot proposals. Each candidate is given an opportunity to provide biographical information and to answer a number of questions on issues important to the office being sought. Candidate responses are included as submitted and are not edited, except when replies exceed the stated word limitations. When a candidate exceeds the word limit, the answer is ended at the maximum word count with an ellipsis (...). If a candidate does not reply by the required date for inclusion, the words "Did not reply in time for inclusion" appear after the candidate's name.
The inclusion of statements by candidates is solely in the interest of public service and is not to be construed as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League takes no responsibility for any of the views or facts stated by the candidates.

Voting in New Mexico

Any resident who is a citizen of the United States and is 18 years of age, or who will reach that age prior to the next election, may register to vote in New Mexico elections. There is no residency requirement in order to vote in New Mexico. Registration closes 28 days before an election takes place. For more information on how to register, click here.
In primary elections, only registered members of major parties may vote for party candidates, and only within their own party. Independents and minor-party members may not vote in a primary election. New Mexico does not allow crossover voting in primary elections.
Visit the New Mexico Secretary of State's Voter View website to determine your voter registration status, your polling location, and your registered address.
Find the facts about voting in New Mexico at Vote411.org.

Voter's Rights

Every registered voter in New Mexico has the right to:

inspect a sample ballot before voting.
ask for and receive instructions on how to operate the voting machine or how to mark a paper ballot.
vote by provisional ballot, including asking for and receivning instructions on how to cast it, if your name is not on the list of voters, or you cannot provide identification.
ask for and receive another paper ballot if your paper ballot is spoiled or defective.
cast a ballot if you are in line when the polls close.
be assisted by a person of your choice if you are disabled or need help reading the ballot (exceptions: your employer or agent of your employer, an officer or agent of your union, or a candidate on the ballot are not allowed to provide assistance).
vote free from intimidation by officials or any other person.

False voting, bribery, coercion and intimidation are election crimes and subject to prosecution. To report any complaints or irregularities in the polling place, call 1-800-477-3632.

Election Q&A

By when must I register to vote in order to vote in the general election on Tuesday, November 2, 2010?

You must register by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 5, 2010.

If I move but have not changed my address on my registration, may I still vote at my old polling place?

If you registered at your old address and have not been purged, you may be on the rolls at the polling place for that address, and if so, you may vote there. However, this may mean that you will be voting in races outside the districts in which you now live, which is not proper. Likewise, you may be unable to vote in races within the districts in which you now live. The best thing to do, of course, is to update your voter registration right away when you move. To check your registration information and find your polling place, go to http://www.Vote411.org.

Can I vote a straight party ticket but still make one or more exceptions?

Yes. First mark straight party for the party you choose, then go down to any office where you wish to vote for a candidate of a different party or an independent candidate, and vote for that person. That vote will be counted. You may do this as many times as you wish.

If I show up to vote and my name is not on the rolls, how can I vote?

In this circumstance, you may request and vote on a provisional ballot.

If I show up to vote and cannot provide required information, how can I vote?

In this circumstance, you may request and vote on a provisional ballot.

May I wear clothing or a button for a candidate I support when I go to the polls to vote?

This is a matter of some controversy. Although items of clothing are often considered to fall within the protection of the First Amendment, you cannot engage in campaigning or "electioneering" inside the polling place or within 100 feet of it. Since displaying buttons, hats, T-shirts, or other such items may be considered electioneering, voters are reminded not to wear such items when going to vote. You can always take off a hat or pin, and turn a shirt inside out or close your sweater or jacket. Contact the office of the Secretary of State, for further details or clarification.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: August 25, 2010 14:32 PDT.