Thursday, October 1, 2026
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If you are a registered voter, regardless of your party affiliation, you can vote in the upcoming June 2 Semi-Open Primary Election. If you are not yet registered, you still have time. Online and mail-in registration is available until May 5; in-person registration is available up to and including election day.
What Changed: Thanks to a bipartisan bill signed into law in New Mexico in April 2025, for the first time Independent and Decline-to-State voters as well as minor-party voters will also be able to participate in the semi-open primary election.
Previously, if those voters wanted to participate in a primary election, they had to change their party affiliation to a major party first; they could then change back after voting. This was a major impediment to participation in primary elections.
New Mexico only recognizes four parties: Democratic, Republican, Green and Libertarian; Independent voters are classified as DTS.
Under the new law effective July 1, 2025:
Independent and DTS voters can vote in the primary without changing their voter registration and may request the ballot (Republican or Democrat) of their choice.
Libertarian or Green Party voters can vote in the primary IF they change their registration to Democrat, Republican, or Decline-to-State either online, by mail, or at the MVD by May 5, or at the polls using same day registration. They will need a photo ID to change their registration.
If a Democrat or a Republican wants to change their registration, they cannot use same day registration; they must so by May 5.
Same day registration is available to unregistered adult citizens.
It’s always a good idea to check your registration status before an election on the Voter Information Portal, particularly if you’ve recently changed your registration.
Why it Matters: In 2024, only 17% of registered Dona County voters cast ballots. That means very important decisions are being made by tiny fraction of the population.
One factor in low primary turnout in the past has likely been that so many voters in New Mexico are not registered with the two major parties. Data from New Mexico Voters First indicates that the percentage of DTS voters increased from 15% in 2006 to 22% in 2020.
That trend is likely to continue in New Mexico. Nationwide, a 2025 Gallup poll found that 45% of US adults identified as political independents — the highest level ever. Although Independents, DTS, and minor-party voters could use the same day registration process to obtain the right to vote in the primary, few do.
New Mexico Open Elections reports that in 2022 only 1% of Independent and DTS voters changed their registration so they could vote in the primary. They go on to note that primaries determine 80% of all elected seats in uncompetitive districts.
When You Can Vote: The 2026 Semi-Open Primary Election will be on Tuesday, June 2. Registered voters can request absentee ballots between May 5–19 from the NM Secretary of State website; completed ballots must be received (not just mailed) by 7 p.m. on election day.
Learn More: The League of Women Voters is committed to supporting the voting rights of all U.S. citizens, regardless of their political affiliation. For more election information and to check your voter registration status, please visit vote411.org, brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund.
Lynda St. Clair is a member of the League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico. She earned a PhD from the University of Michigan and taught a management and leadership course for 15 years at Bryant University in Rhode Island before retiring to Las Cruces. She loves libraries, learning, and liberty.
