Early voting kicks off primary season – for Democrats

Early voting is on and expands on May 18 during the four-week run-up to the June primary. 

This year's primary elections feature several competitive races, including district attorney, county clerk, and statehouse challenges. But the opportunity to vote – at least for voters who want to pick between more than one candidate – is limited to members of the Democratic Party. Republican candidates are running in uncontested primaries, and the same is true for some Democratic contests.  

New Mexico has closed primaries, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in their respective parties’ primaries.

There are nine early voting centers available to voters across the county.

The locations include:

• Hatch Valley High School
• The three Dona Ana Community College campuses in Chaparral, Las Cruces’ East Mesa and Sunland Park
• New Mexico State University’s Corbett Center
• Doña Ana County Government Center
• Mesilla Town Hall
• Anthony Public Library

Early voting ends on June 1, and Election Day is June 4 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nine ballot drop-off boxes across the county are available for voters using absentee ballots. 

Those locations are:

• Anthony City Hall Municipal Complex
• Corbett Center Student Union - NMSU
• Delores C. Wright Educational Center
• Doña Ana County Government Center
• Hatch Valley High School
• Las Cruces City Hall
• Mesilla Town Hall
• Sonoma Elementary School
• Sunland Park City Library
  
  

Anyone can request an absentee ballot by visiting the New Mexico Secretary of State website. The last day to request an absentee ballot for the 2024 Primary Election is Tuesday, May 21.