Early Voting
What Is It?
Early voting allows voters to cast their ballots in person before Election Day. In New Mexico, it begins 28 days before the election at county clerk offices and expands to additional locations as Election Day approaches. To make voting more accessible, many early voting sites offer extended hours. Some are open on Saturdays, and others stay open past 5:00 p.m. during the week so more people can vote at a time that works for them.
What Are we Observing/Looking For?
During Early Voting, we are observing the same items as we do on Election Day. This includes observing the entire day at the respective voting location that we send ONME observers to, to note down what procedures were followed and what happened during opening, set up, the voting process, and closing.
We ask ONME watchers to observe the following during different times:
Opening
- Opening time (scheduled versus actual)
- The number of precinct board members present
- Whether protective counters of tabulation equipment were checked
Set Up
- Instructions and notices posted and in easily visible locations
- Language accessibility in Native languages and Spanish
- Voter check-in and voter identification
- Availability of regular, provisional, and sample ballots
- Availability of accessible voting systems
- Use of electronic versus paper pollbooks
Voting Process
- Language accessibility and accommodations in Native languages and Spanish
- Identifying voters
- Same day voter registration
- Regular, spoiled, provisional, and absentee ballots
- Voters who were turned away, left, or whose eligibility was challenged
- Accessibility accommodations
- Presence of peace officers (if applicable)
Closing of Polls
- Closing time
- Conduct of election officials during closing time including ballot reconciliation and counting
Finally, at each stage, ONME watchers also note the presence of other observers from political party members, members of the public, the media, and others. They are also asked how the other watchers/observers behaved. This includes any notes on disruption, interference, electioneering, harassment, violence, and other behavior that may interfere with the electoral process.
Why Is It Important?
Early Voting is an important way to make voting accessible for more people, by:
- Reducing long lines on Election Day
- Giving voters more flexible options to participate
What we found in 2024
What Went Well
- Overall, early voting ran smoothly. Polling places opened on time almost everywhere, and observers reported calm, well-organized environments.
- Poll workers were professional and helpful. They managed voting procedures carefully and supported voters with questions.
- Ballot security procedures were followed. In most sites, protective counters on machines were checked, and ballots were handled securely.
- Observers saw no fraud, manipulation, or deliberate disruption.
Challenges
- At some sites, there were too few election officials present. A handful of small locations had only one poll worker present, leaving ballots without proper oversight.
- Language access was inconsistent. Spanish materials were missing in some locations, and Native language access was rare even in counties required by law to provide it.
- Sample ballots weren’t always available. Only about two-thirds of sites posted them publicly; some counties used QR codes, but others required IDs just to view them.
- Some registered voters were asked to show ID even though voter identification is not required for individuals who are already registered.
- In a few counties, voters were allowed to vote after polls closed, which does not align with election law.
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.