ONME election observations have started in all 33 counties for June Primary Election
Santa Fe, NM – Observe New Mexico Elections (ONME) has trained New Mexico voters to serve as impartial election observers for the June 2 primary election. Residents around the state will head to the polls to vote for major party candidates who will eventually appear on the general election ballot in November.
ONME is a nonpartisan election observation effort designed to increase trust and transparency in elections. ONME election observers are trained about relevant laws, procedures, and safeguards in New Mexico’s electoral process and verify that those procedures are followed consistently.
ONME is preparing election observers to monitor elections in all 33 counties. They are expected to produce up to 168 observations of six election processes – poll worker training, election machine certification, early voting, absentee vote processing, Election Day voting, and election results certification.
This is the first time in state history that there will be semi-open primaries. In 2025, New Mexico passed SB 16, allowing independent voters to take part in publicly funded primary elections without changing their registration. These voters can now select a major party ballot on which to vote in the primary election.
Previously, only registered members of major parties could vote in primaries, and independent voters had to temporarily change their party affiliation to participate.
“ONME is geared up to begin another successful election observation effort during the June primary election. We will observe a historic primary election in every county in the state, as this is New Mexico’s first semi-open primary,” said Carmen López, Co-Leader of ONME. “As always, our goal is to heighten transparency and strengthen voter confidence by providing accurate, independent observations of how election processes are run. We look forward to applying what we’ve learned in years past to produce more insightful findings this summer and during the general election this November.”
May 5 marks the first day that absentee ballots are mailed and the first day of early voting at county clerks’ offices. Expanded early voting at additional primary election sites will begin on May 16. The last day of early voting is Saturday, May 30, with Election Day on Tuesday, June 2.
For more information about ONME’s election observation initiative or to learn how to get involved, visit https://observenmelections.org/.
About Observe New Mexico Elections
The mission of Observe New Mexico Elections is to increase transparency and trust in New Mexico’s elections by training and deploying nonpartisan election observers throughout the state. Observers will report on how election laws and procedures are followed, representing all voters without interfering in the electoral process. Findings from their observations will be compiled to assess the overall quality of elections in New Mexico.