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Election
What’s on the ballot?
Statewide competitive races on the general election ballot include the governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.
In the redrawn congressional District 3 that still includes the Northern New Mexico Democratic strongholds of Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Taos counties but now also incorporates portions of Republican counties in the southwestern part of the state, incumbent Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez faces off for the second time with Republican Alexis Martinez Johnson, whom she bested 59 to 41% in her first run in 2020. (Voters in other parts of the state also have contested races: In congressional District 2, incumbent Republican Yvette Harrell will try to fend off a challenge from Democrat Gabe Vazquez; District 1, incumbent Democrat Melanie Stansbury faces Michelle Garcia Holmes from the GOP.)
Many local races were decided during the June 7 primary election. When it comes to the state Legislature, the only contested Santa Fe-area seat is that of Rep. Andrea Romero, a Democratic incumbent facing a challenge from Republican Jay Groseclose in House District 46.
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 has evaluated 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.
Santa Fe County is also proposing three bonds. See the list of projects here.
- $13 million to acquire, construct, design, equip, and improve roads
- $7 million to acquire real property and necessary water rights for, and to construct, design, equip, rehabilitate, and improve, water and wastewater projects
- $5 million for open space, trails and parks
See the complete secretary of state’s candidate list for offices in New Mexico here. The League of Women Voters produces an online guide with answers to candidate survey questions, though not all candidates have submitted answers. Find it at vote411.org after you’ve entered your address.
When does voting begin?
On Oct. 11, voters can first cast ballots in person at the Santa Fe County clerk’s office, 100 Catron St.
Voting hours are 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri and 10 am-6 pm, only Saturday, Nov. 5.
Santa Fe County voters may also visit any alternate voting locations beginning the third Saturday before the election, Oct. 22, through the Saturday before the election, Nov. 5. Voting hours are noon-8 pm, Tues-Fri and 10 am-6 pm, Saturdays.
In Santa Fe:
Christian Life Church, 121 Siringo Road
Santa Fe County Fair Building, 3229 Rodeo Road
Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive
Out of town:
Max Coll Corridor Community Center, 16 Avenida Torreon, Eldorado
Pojoaque Satellite Office, 5 W. Gutierrez Ste. 9, Pojoaque Pueblo PlazaAbedon Lopez Comm. Center, 155 Camino De Quintana, Española
Town of Edgewood Administration Building, 171A NM-344, Edgewood
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. 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, or by calling your county clerk. Then, fill out your ballot when it arrives after Oct. 11 and return it to a drop box or via the mail. Nov. 3 the deadline for the clerk to receive your request for a ballot, but officials say that’s rolling the dice with the United States Postal Service and don’t recommend you wait that long.
What’s the age requirement for voting?
18
How long do I have to live in New Mexico or in Santa Fe to be eligible to vote?
There is no durational residency requirement. Once you have established a residential address, you may register to vote.
How can voters learn about who is donating to candidate campaigns?
Campaign finance reports are next due to the secretary of state on Sept. 12 and Oct. 11 and Nov. 3.
Where can I vote on Election Day in Santa Fe County?
Polls are open on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7 am to 7 pm. Voters may choose any location.
Santa Fe - Las Campanas
La Tierra Fire Station, 6 Arroyo Calabasas Road
Santa Fe - Northeast/Downtown
Montezuma Lodge, 431 Paseo De Peralta
Atalaya Elementary, 721 Camino Cabra
Carlos Gilbert Elementary (Pending), 300 Griffin St.
Gonzales Community School, 851 W Alameda St.
St. John’s Methodist Church, 1200 Old Pecos Trail
Santa Fe - Southside/West
Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive
Nina Otero Community School, 5901 Herrera Drive
El Camino Real Academy, 2500 South Meadows Road
Santa Fe - Midtown/South-Central
Santa Fe County Fair Building, 3229 Rodeo Road
Salazar Elementary, 1231 Apache Ave.
Chaparral Elementary, 2451 Avenida Chaparral
Christian Life Church, 121 Siringo Road
Santa Fe - Rancho Viejo
Amy Biehl Community School, 310 Avenida Del Sur
Pojoaque/San Ildefonso/El Rancho
Pojoaque Middle School, 1797 State Road 502 West
San Ildefonso Visitors Center, 74 Povi Kaa Drive
El Rancho Senior Center, 394 County Road 84
Edgewood/Stanley/Galisteo
Stanley Cyclone Center, 22 W Kinsell Ave.
Town Of Edgewood Admin Building, 171A NM-344
Galisteo Community Center, 35 Avenida Vieja
Eldorado/Hondo/Glorieta
Max Coll Corridor Community Center, 16 Avenida Torreon
Hondo Fire Station #2, 645 Old Las Vegas Highway
Glorieta Fire Station #2, 366 Old Denver Hwy.
Española/Chimayo
Tony E. Quintana Elementary, 18670 US 84/285, Espanola
Benny J. Chavez Community Center, 354a Juan Medina Road, Chimayó
La Cienega
La Cienega Community Center, 136 Camino San Jose
Madrid/Los Cerrillos
Madrid Volunteer Fire Station, 5 Firehouse Lane, Madrid
Turquoise Trail Charter School, 13 San Marcos Loop
Nambe/Tesuque
Nambe Community Center, 180 NM-503,
Nambe Pueblo Tribal Administration, 15A NP 102 West
Tesuque Pueblo Intergenerational Center, 39 TP 804
Tesuque Elementary, 1555 Bishops Lodge Road
More questions?
Call the Santa Fe County clerk at (505) 986-6280 or the SoS at (505) 827-3600.
