Election FAQ

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ELECTIONS FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Where can I register to vote in Santa Fe County?

There are several locations where a resident can register to vote. You may register at the following locations:

Santa Fe County Clerk’s office at 102 Grant Avenue
Office of the Secretary of State at 325 Don Gaspar
Motor Vehicle Division located at 2544 Camino Edward Ortiz
Motor Vehicle Division located at 850 St. Michaels Drive
Santa Fe Public Library at 145 Washington Avenue
Santa Fe Community College at 6401 Richards Avenue
Santa Fe Indian School at 1501 Cerrillos Road
St. John’s College at 1160 Camino de Cruz Blanca
College of Santa Fe at 1600 St. Michael's Dr.
Children, Youth and Families Department at 1920 5th Street
Human Services Department at 2542 Cerrillos Road
Health Department at 605 Letrado Street
Vocational Rehabilitation at 2109 Warner Circle
Commission for the Blind at 2905 Rodeo Road Park E, Bldg 4, Ste. 100
Commission for the Deaf at 2055 South Pacheco
Veteran’s Service Commission at the Bataan Memorial Building/Don Gaspar
Developmental Disabilities Planning Council at 810 W. San Mateo, Ste. C

Voter Registration is also provided for the clients of the following home health care agencies:

Professional Home Health Care at 10 Calle Medico
Visions Case Management at 1570 Pacheco Street
EGIS at 227 East Palace, Ste. N
New Directions Case Management at 948 Camino Anasazi

2. When are the elections in 2010?

The Primary Election will be on June 1, 2010 and the General Election will be on November 2, 2010.

3. How long must I live in Santa Fe County before I can register to vote?

There is no durational requirement for voter registration in New Mexico. Once you have established a residential address, you may register to vote.

4. How old do I have to be to register to vote?

You must be 18 on or by the date of the next election.

5. I’d like to volunteer to work at the polls. How can I do that?

Great! We always need good poll workers. Please contact our coordinator for poll workers, Lynn Gary at 986-6379 or leave a message with any other member of the county clerk’s staff.

6. Can’t I register by mail?

Yes, just call the Office of the County Clerk at 986-6280 and we will mail you a certificate of registration, which you can complete and mail back.

7. What documents do I need when I register?

If you register in person, you do not need any identifying documents, however, if you are a first time registrant by mail, you need to send in one of the following documents with your registration if you wish to avoid showing identification at the polls on Election Day:

A copy of a valid driver’s license or other photo identification, with or without an address; a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, student identification, tribal identification or other government document.

8. Will I get an identification card from your office?

Yes, usually within three weeks of registration, except for those times when the books have been closed for an election.

9. Do I have to declare a party affiliation when I register to vote?

No, but remember that New Mexico has a closed Primary Election and unless you declare affiliation with a major party (at this time Democrats and Republicans only), you cannot vote in a Primary Election. You may vote in all other elections (i.e. municipal, school, general or special bond and tax elections).

10. What about the Presidential Caucus?

If the major political parties choose to hold a caucus, rather than a presidential primary election (which coincides with the state primary election) it is also closed to voters who are not affiliated with that party.

11. What is the deadline for voter registration?

In general, 28 days before an election. For the exact date and locations for a specific election please contact your County Clerk's Office.

12. How can I get an absentee ballot?

You can call the county clerk’s office at 986-6280 and we will send you the application. Also, candidate organizations and political parties often carry out absentee application events.
This application can be downloaded and printed from the New Mexico Secretary of State's Website Here and mailed to your County Clerk's Office

13. Can I use one application to vote absentee in every election?

No, you must apply with a separate application for each election.

14. I received my absentee ballot, but I changed my mind and want to go to the polls on Election Day. Should I throw out the ballot I received?

No! A voter is only issued one ballot for an election, unless an error is made in marking that ballot. If you destroy your ballot and go to your polling place on Election Day you will not receive another ballot.

15. I was late in applying for my ballot and it’s Election Day. What can I do?

Go to your polling place and explain that you never received your ballot. You will be given a paper ballot to vote and you will have to sign a sworn statement that you did not receive or vote your absentee ballot.

16. A member of an organized political group approached me to fill out a voter registration form and an absentee application. Is this safe?

Not always. There have been instances where unethical individuals do not turn in these forms and voters do not get registered and do not receive a ballot. If you are concerned, apply directly with the county clerk’s office.

17. When does absentee voting begin?

You may request your application at any time. Ballots are mailed starting 28 days prior to that election.

18. Can I vote early in-person before Election Day?

Yes, also beginning 28 days before any county-wide or federal election you can vote early in-person at the County Clerk's Office.

19. Are there other early voting sites for the Primary and General Elections?

Yes, beginning the third Saturday before the election there are five early voting sites available throughout the county. In general, early sites are located at the Santa Fe Rodeo Grounds, Pojoaque Fire Station, in El Dorado, Espanola and Edgewood. The exact locations and hours will be posted and advertised.

20. What are the hours of voting?

The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Early Voting Sites are open from Noon until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday -Friday and from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Your Conty Clerk's Office is open for ealy voting during regular business hours.

21. What if I have other questions about elections?

Call the Santa Fe County Clerk’s office at 986-6280 or any of the following staff members at the Bureau of Elections: