Absentee Ballot Processing
What Is It?
Absentee voting allows registered voters to receive a ballot by mail, fill it out at home, and return it by mail, drop box, or in person. These ballots are processed at county election offices or designated counting facilities.
Processing is carried out by the Absent Voter Election Board (AVEB) made up of trained election workers who follow strict procedures to ensure accuracy and security. Their responsibilities include:
- Scanning and logging ballot envelopes into the voter database
- Verifying voter information such as signatures and the last four digits of Social Security numbers
- Sorting ballots by ballot style and separating secrecy envelopes
- Opening secrecy envelopes and confirming ballot style and number
- Tabulating ballots with electronic tabulators, with manual review of ballots machines cannot read
- Sealing and securely storing all ballots and materials at the end of the process
What are we observing/looking for?
When ONME observers watch absentee ballot processing, we pay close attention to:
- Accessibility: Is the processing site accessible, with clear signage, accessible parking, and wheelchair-friendly entrances?
- Transparency: Are observers, party representatives, and the public allowed adequate space to observe? Are handouts or explanations available to help people understand what’s happening?
- Verification: Are signatures and Social Security numbers being checked against the voter database? Are rejected ballots properly documented, and are voters contacted to “cure” issues when allowed?
- Ballot Handling: Are secrecy envelopes removed carefully and outer envelopes checked to ensure they are empty? Are ballots always handled with oversight from at least two individuals?
- Tabulation: Were zero reports generated before counting began? Did party observers verify these reports? Are ballots the machines cannot read reviewed by humans to determine voter intent?
- Environment: Is the process free from intimidation, harassment, disruption, or unauthorized access?
Why Is It Important?
Absentee ballot processing is a critical safeguard in our election system. It ensures that every absentee ballot is handled securely and counted accurately, from the moment it arrives until results are reported. Observing this process helps confirm that rules are followed consistently, ballots are protected at every step, and the public can trust the outcome of elections.
Contact Us
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.