New Mexico voter registration closes Oct 6 for the November 3, 2026 election. Every deadline — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.
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New Mexico county clerks begin sending mailed (absentee) ballots to voters who applied for one on Tuesday, Oct 6, 2026. That is the same day in-person early voting opens at county clerk offices.
Early in-person voting at county clerk offices starts Tuesday, October 6, 2026 (28th day before the election). Expanded early voting sites in many counties open Saturday, October 17, 2026 (third Saturday before). Early voting ends Saturday, October 31, 2026. Statewide rule: county clerk offices open for early voting from Oct 6; additional (expanded) sites in many counties from Sat Oct 17; all early voting ends Sat Oct 31. Locations and hours are set by each county clerk.
Regular registration, including online (needs a current or expired NM MVD license/ID), closes Tuesday, October 6, 2026 — 28 days before the election. After that, use same-day registration (see sameDay). Mailed registration forms must be dated/postmarked by the Oct 6, 2026 deadline and reach the county clerk by Friday, October 9, 2026. Regular registration closes Tuesday, October 6, 2026. After that, you can still register and vote the same day at your county clerk's office, participating early voting sites, or any polling place in your county on Election Day. Register (or update your registration) and vote the same day at your county clerk's office during early voting, at participating early voting sites, or at any polling place in your county on Election Day. Bring a physical photo ID with your name; if it lacks your current address, also bring a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government document dated within 90 days showing it. Not available for voting by mail.
Your county clerk must receive your absentee ballot application by Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (14 days before the election). Any voter may vote absentee.
Early voting ends Saturday, October 31, 2026. Statewide rule: county clerk offices open for early voting from Oct 6; additional (expanded) sites in many counties from Sat Oct 17; all early voting ends Sat Oct 31. Locations and hours are set by each county clerk.
Absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk, or dropped off at any Election Day polling location in the county, by 7:00 PM on Election Day. Postmarks don't count.
New Mexico has a single candidate filing day. For the November 2, 2027 regular local election it is Tuesday, August 24, 2027, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Filing closes at 5 p.m. the same day, Tuesday, August 24, 2027. Declarations must be delivered in person.
Filing closes at 5 p.m. the same day, Tuesday, August 24, 2027. Declarations must be delivered in person.
Regular registration closes Tuesday, October 5, 2027, but New Mexico also offers same-day registration: you can register or update your registration and vote at your county clerk's office, at participating early voting sites, or at your polling place on election day.
New Mexico's Local Election Act puts nearly all local races on one statewide date: the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year. The first Monday in November 2027 is November 1, so the regular local election is Tuesday, November 2, 2027. It covers municipal offices for cities that opted in, school boards, community colleges and special districts.
Regular registration closes Tuesday, February 8, 2028. Same-day registration is also available at your county clerk's office, participating early voting sites and your election-day polling place.
Municipalities that did not opt in to the November regular local election still elect their own officers on the statutory municipal officer election day, the first Tuesday in March of even-numbered years. March 1, 2028 is a Wednesday, so that day is Tuesday, March 7, 2028. Ask your municipal clerk which track your city is on: Albuquerque and Santa Fe vote in November of odd years, while Rio Rancho votes in March of even years.
We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:
Every date above was read from the New Mexico election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.
https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voting-faqs/voter-registration/
Voter registration closes 28 days prior to an election. (Section 1-4-8, NMSA 1978).
https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voting-faqs/same-day-voter-registration-faq/
SDR is available for eligible voters at their County Clerk’s office or at any polling location in their county on Election Day. Additional Early Voting locations may also provide SDR – it’s best to check with your local county clerk.
https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voting-faqs/absentee-voting-by-mail/
The county clerk must receive the application for an absentee ballot no later than 14 days prior to election day (Section 1-6-5(A), NMSA 1978).
Mailed ballots shall be sent to applicants beginning twenty-eight days before the election.
https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voting-faqs/early-voting-in-person/
You may go to your county clerk’s office beginning the 28th day before the election and vote. (Section 1-6-5, NMSA 1978). Expanded early voting is available in many counties beginning on the third Saturday before the election.
https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/18%20Regular/bills/house/HB0098.html
A candidate for a position that will be filled at a local election shall file a declaration of candidacy with the proper filing officer during the period commencing at 9:00 a.m. on the seventieth day before the date of the local election and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the same day.