| ABSENTEE VOTING FOR THE 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION
**PLEASE READ FIRST** [Updated April 17, 2020]
New Mexico’s Primary Election will take place on June 2, 2020. In response to the ongoing public health crisis, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and the state’s County Clerks are encouraging all voters to vote using an absentee ballot. It’s critical that everyone wanting to vote in the Primary Election has their up-to-date voter registration on file to ensure absentee ballots are sent to the correct address. The deadline to update your voter registration ahead of the June Primary Election is May 5, 2020.
All New Mexico voters registered with a major political party will have an absentee ballot application mailed to them.
Instead of having an absentee ballot application automatically mailed to them, voters can submit an absentee ballot application online now at NMVOTE.ORG (or, through one of the other ways detailed below). If you have already submitted an absentee ballot application no further action is required of you.
When does absentee voting begin for the June 2, 2020 primary election?
May 5, 2020 is the first day that County Clerks can mail absentee ballots to those eligible New Mexico voters who requested them.
A mailed ballot must be requested no later than May 28, 2020.
Who can request an absentee ballot in New Mexico?
Anyone! We have what’s known as a “no-fault” absentee ballot process here in New Mexico which just means that any eligible voter can securely request an absentee ballot.
However, in order to vote in the 2020 Primary Election you must be registered with a major political party (Democratic, Republican, Libertarian) before May 5, 2020. If you are not registered with a major political party you will not be able to participate in the 2020 Primary Election.
How can I request an absentee ballot?
There are a few ways to get an absentee ballot.
Fill out an absentee ballot request through our online portal here.
Contact your County Clerk in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. Contact info for all 33 New Mexico County Clerks can be found on our website here.
Download an Absentee Ballot Application here and then mail or hand-deliver it to your County Clerk.
NOTE: A mailed ballot must be requested no later than May 28, 2020.
How do I request an absentee ballot for a blind or visually impaired voter?
Absentee ballots have been designed in New Mexico so that a voter who is blind or visually impaired may independently use their own non-visual or low-vision technology to mark their ballot. Find more info on our website here.
What if I’m a military or overseas voter?
Complete info about military and overseas voting in New Mexico can be found at this page on our website here.
How do I return my absentee ballot? When is the deadline?
All absentee ballots may be returned by mail (with postage already paid for by the state) to your County Clerk’s Office, or in-person at an alternative voting location, mobile alternative voting location, or any Election Day polling location no later than 7pm on June 2, 2020.
