The primaries have passed and we are officially in election season for the 2026 midterms. But what about those folks who are voting in New Mexico for the first time?
Whether you recently turned 18, moved into the state, became a US citizen, or began to engage with politics, we’ve got you covered.
On the ballot for this year’s midterm elections—called such because they take place halfway through a presidential administration—in New Mexico are the following positions: one US Senate seat, all three US congressional seats, a new governor (current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has reached her term limit), attorney general, secretary of state, commissioner of public lands, treasurer, and auditor.
That’s not to mention all 70 seats in the state House of Representatives, plus judicial and local elections depending on where you live.
Here are some important but easy-to-learn tips you need to know before voting in this year’s general election.
Check your voter registration status
You can’t vote if you’re not registered, so be sure to check on your registration status while there’s still time to act on it.
Called NMVote, the New Mexico Voter Information Portal is meant to act as your one-stop shop for voting information in the Land of Enchantment. It will come up a lot in this explainer, starting with checking your voter registration status.
This only takes seconds and it may save you some time even if you don’t remember registering. Since July 2025, the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) has automatically registered eligible voters who come through its system.
How and when to register to vote in New Mexico
If you’re not registered, you can take care of that through the NMVote portal as well. Note that, in order to register as a new voter or update your registration online, your personal information (Social Security number, ID number, and date of birth) must match the information that is on file with the New Mexico MVD.
You can also register to vote or update your existing registration in person and vote on the same day at your county clerk’s office on Election Day. Some county clerks offer additional same-day voter registration locations at expanded early voting sites. Contact your county clerk’s office here.
If you register in person while voting, be sure to bring a photo ID issued by the federal government; a state government; a federally recognized Indigenous nation, tribe or pueblo; or an educational institution.
If there’s no address on the photo ID that matches the address provided for the certificate of registration, bring a utility bill, paycheck stub, bank statement or other document issued by the previously mentioned bodies that has your address on it.
Participate in early voting in New Mexico
Early voting allows voters to beat the lines and vote ahead of time at a polling place, much like they would on Election Day. You may go to your county clerk’s office beginning the 28th day before the election—Tuesday, Oct. 6—to vote in person.
Expanded early voting, which includes weekends, begins in many counties on the third Saturday before the election, Oct. 17. Look up early voting locations here or contact your county clerk for locations, dates, and hours of operation.
Early voting ends the Saturday before the election, Oct. 31.
Absentee voting in person and by mail
Any New Mexican voter can request an absentee ballot to send through the mail by filling out an application and returning it to your local county clerk.
Applications can be obtained by filling out an application online, contacting your county clerk’s office or dropping by in person, or downloading an application and mailing it or hand-delivering it to your county clerk’s office.
The county clerk must receive your absentee application by Oct. 20. If your application is approved, follow the directions that will come with the ballot through the mail. Postage is pre-paid, but your county clerk must receive your ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. You can return it in person if it’s too late to mail.
No ID needed for in-person voting
Of course, you can also show up for in-person voting on Election Day, Nov. 3, and will not need a photo ID to do so. Find your polling location here.
Important dates to know when voting in New Mexico
Oct. 6, 2026: Early voting begins
Oct. 17, 2026: Expanded early voting begins (differs by county)
Oct. 20, 2026: Deadline for absentee ballot applications
Oct. 31, 2026: Early voting ends
Nov. 3, 2026: Election Day, deadline for absentee ballots
Related: New Mexico’s next Secretary of State could decide who needs ID to vote
