New Mexico Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should visit the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Important Deadlines

• Voter registration form: Postmarked at least 28 days before the election
• Absentee ballot application: Received by 5PM on the Thursday before the election
• Absentee ballot due: Received by 7PM on Election Day

How to vote by absentee ballot

Register to vote

Use our Voter Registration Widget. Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  For faster processing, you can mail the form directly to your County Clerk's Office.

Verify your voter registration

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Apply for your absentee ballot

Good news! Any registered New Mexico voter may vote by absentee ballot!

Download and complete the New Mexico absentee ballot application.  Mail your completed application to your County Clerk.  If you're application is denied for some reason, the County Clerk will notify you in writing.

Receive, complete, and return your absentee ballot

This one is pretty straightforward. Vote your ballot, seal it, sign the envelope, and mail your completed ballot back to your County Clerk. A member of your immediate family or your caregiver may also hand-deliver your absentee ballot to the County Clerk. Your ballot must be received by your County Clerk before 7pm on Election Day to be counted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to provide ID when I register to vote?

Yes.  If you register by mail, you must include a copy of your identification with your voter registration application.  If you forget, you'll need to provide ID the first time you vote in person or by absentee ballot.

Acceptable forms of ID include: a current and valid photo identification with or without an address (the address does not need to match the one at which you registered to vote) OR a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, that shows your name and address (the address does not need to match the one at which you're registering to vote).

Do I need to provide ID when I apply for my absentee ballot?

You do not need to include ID if you've already voted in New Mexico at least once.  If you are a first-time voter and you forgot to include copies of your ID with your registration form, include them with your absentee ballot application. 

First-time voters who are voting absentee: if you have met the HAVA requirements for voter registration (meaning, you provided proper ID whether registering in-person or via mail) then you do not need to send additional identification with your absentee ballot. If you have not met the HAVA requirements for voter registration, you will be notified by mail, and will need to provide a copy of your identification with your absentee ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include: a current and valid photo identification with or without an address (the address does not need to match the one at which you registered to vote) OR a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, that shows your name and address (the address does not need to match the one at which you're registering to vote).

Can I change my mind after I receive my absentee ballot and vote in person?

No. Once you receive your absentee ballot, you cannot change your mind and vote in person on Election Day.

However, if you applied but never received your absentee ballot, you can go to your polling place and vote. You will be required to sign a sworn statement, under penalty of perjury, that you did not receive your ballot.

I won't be able to go to the polls on election day but don't want to vote by mail.  Can I vote in person before the election?

Yes. Check out our Early Voting page for details.

Additional Information