Registration

Anyone meeting the qualifications may register to vote at the County Clerk's Office Bureau of Elections, at the Motor Vehicle Department, at any state agency providing public assistance or assistance to the disabled, at state offices serving veterans, and at many public libraries, colleges, and universities. Contact the County Clerk or the Secretary of State and request an application for voter registration. Voter registration must be complete 28 days prior to the election that it applies.

How Do I Register?

How to mark the ballot

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting (by mail) for all county and state elections may be done by requesting an absentee application from the Bureau of Elections. Complete and return the application to the Bureau of Elections and a ballot will be mailed. The time to apply for an absentee ballot varies from election to election, but it is generally 28 days prior to a Primary or General Election. Contact the Bureau of Elections for further details.

Rules for absentee voting for a municipal election vary from county and state elections. The municipal clerk will have information regarding municipal elections.

Application for Absentee voting can be downloaded from the state site:
Need an Absentee Application? Click Here. To download an application.

 

Absentee In-person Voting

In-person voting is primarily done at the Valencia County Courthouse in the County Clerk's Office prior to an election. Anyone wanting to vote early may do so in person during regular business hours Monday through Friday or special days and hours in Primary and General Elections.

Alternate Voting Sites

In-person voting at an alternate voting site is available for state and federal elections. Voters in the Belen area can vote In-person at the Belen Community Center, 305 Eagle Lane, Belen. All alternate voting locations open on the third Saturday preceding the election and operate Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Special Assistance

In registering to vote or casting a vote in person, physically challenged individuals may be assisted by a person of their choice. In addition, starting in 2006, specially equipped voting devices will be available at all precincts for the visually impaired voter.

Exceptions

Voters physically challenged who may be unable to register or vote in person at authorized locations, or members of the armed forces and their families stationed overseas, and individuals who suffer medical emergencies just prior to an election should contact the Bureau of Elections for information on special procedures

Fixed Election Schedule

Primary Elections are held on the first Tuesday in June of each even-numbered year.

General Elections are held on the first Tuesday in November of each even-numbered year.

School Board Elections are held on the first Tuesday in February of each odd-numbered year.

Municipal Elections are held on the first Tuesday in March of each even-numbered year.

The state of New Mexico does not hold Open Primary Elections. To be eligible to vote in the Primary Election, individuals must be registered as a Democrat or Republican. A registered voter who wishes to change party affiliation in time to vote in a primary election must do so 28 days before the election. Each party has the option of holding a Presidential Caucus several months previous to the June Primary Election for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the Office of President. For more information concerning party activity, contact the party chairman listed below.

The County Clerk does not conduct elections for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. For information regarding MRGCD elections contact the MRGCD office in Albuquerque at 505.247.0234.