What’s on the General Election Ballot?
Statewide competitive races on the general election ballot include the governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor. In congressional District 1, Democrats are supporting Melanie Stansbury. In the newly drawn congressional District 2 that now includes parts of Albuquerque’s South Valley and West Side, our candidate is Gabe Vasquez.
See the complete Secretary of State’s candidate list for offices in New Mexico here.
The judiciary:
- On the Supreme Court, appointed justices Brianna Zamora and Julie Vargas, both Democrats, are on the ballot against Republicans Kerry J Morris and Thomas C Montoya, respectively. The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission plans to post its recommendations in the Supreme Court races and for seven Metropolitan Court judgeships (for Bernalillo County voters). Justice Michael Vigil is up for retention.
- On the Court of the Appeals, 2021-appointed Judge Gerald E. Baca, a Democrat, is running for election against Republican Barbara Johnson and Libertarian Sophie Cooper for position 1; and Democrat Katherine Anne Wray, also appointed last year, faces Libertarian Stephen Curtis and Republican Gertrude Lee for the position 2 seat. Judge Jane Yohalem is up for retention.
Three statewide constitutional amendments: Read a legislative analysis of the pros and cons here.
- Land Grant Permanent Fund: Should the state send more money from extractive industries into early-childhood education, public schools and other programs? The proposal would increase disbursement cash from the investment of this fund from 5% of proceeds to 6.25%.
- Appointed Judges Re-election: Should a judge appointed to fill a vacancy be up for election at the first general election one year after the appointment? The state constitution now says those judges are up for election at the next general election after appointment.
- Amend the anti-donation clause: Should the state add an exception to the anti-donation clause to appropriate state funds for infrastructure that provides essential services such as internet, energy, water or wastewater?
Three general obligation bonds for 1) $24.47 million for senior centers; 2) $19.3 million for public libraries; 3) $215 million for public higher education, special public schools and tribal schools. These debts are repaid by property tax revenue.
When does voting begin?
Mailed ballots will first be sent to voters on Oct. 11, which is the same day that voters can first cast ballots in person at a county clerk’s office.
Early in-person voting begins Oct. 22, and continues through the Saturday before the election, Nov. 5. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open that day from 7 am to 7 pm.
How do I register to vote?
Register by mail and online before Oct. 11. Or, use same-day registration at the county clerk’s office through Election Day, and at Election Day polling places and expanded early voting sites. To register, bring a New Mexico driver’s license or New Mexico identification card issued through the Motor Vehicle Division of the Taxation and Revenue Department; any document that contains an address in the county together with a photo identification card; or a current, valid student photo identification card from a post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico accompanied by a current student fee statement that contains the student’s address in the county.
What’s the process to vote by mail?
First, request an absentee ballot by mail by filling out the form here. Then, fill out your ballot when it arrives after Oct. 11 and return it to a drop box or via the mail. Nov. 3 is the last day to request an absentee ballot by mail.
How can voters learn about who is donating to candidate campaigns?
Campaign finance reports are next due to the secretary of state on 10/11 and 11/3.