Voting

To register to vote, you must be:

    • A U.S. citizen                                                

    • A New Mexico resident

    • At least 18 years old by Nov 3, 2026

• Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction

To register online go to nmvote.gov.  You must hold either a current or expired NM Driver’s license or State ID card. You will be asked to provide the following information that must match what is on file with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

• Your social security number
• Your driver’s license number or state identification number
• Your date of birth
• Your gender (female, male or non-binary)

Voter Registration by mail and voter registrars closes at 5pm on October 5, 2026.

. Same Day Registration starts on Oct 6 andwill be available at polling locations through November 3, 2026. (See” I’m not registered. Can I register the same day I vote? in the questions belowto learn more about Same Day Registration requirements)

To register in person at the Taos County Clerk’s office or a Voter Registration Agent, you will be asked to provide: name; date of birth; gender; Social Security number or NM driver’s license or NM ID number; physical address; and mailing address.

Do not not have a driver’s license or state identification card or prefer to use a paper form to register to vote:  registration forms can be found at nmvote.gov under Register to Vote.  At bottom of that page, you can print the form in English or Spanish. Alternatively, you can request a form from the Taos County Clerk’s office by phone (575) 737-6381) or email. Mailed registration forms must be received by the Clerk before October 6.  No postage is required to return by mail. 

Newly registered voters who submitted the registration form by mail must bring a physical form of ID and documentation of your current address if that documentation was not included with your mailed-in registration.  The same is true if you are doing Same Day Registration. You must provide a physical form of identification that:

• is issued by the federal government, a state government, a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo or an educational institution.
• contains your name as it will appear in your voter registration.
• contains your photograph.

You will also need provide documentation that the address you are using to register to vote belongs to you. If your photo identification has that address, you may use it. But if it does not, you must have a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document issued by an educational institution or government (including a tribal or pueblo government) which includes your name and address that you are using to register to vote. This document must be dated within 90 days prior to the date of the election. Even if your photo Id has your address, it is advisable to bring a copy of one of these documents, in case you are asked for it

Check your registration online at nmvote.gov

Yes, an “inactive” status does not prohibit any registered voter to vote. You will vote as usual and your status will return to “active.”

Yes, you can register the same day you vote at all Early Voting and Election Day polling locations.

You must sign a document attesting that you have not voted already in the election.

You must provide a physical form of identification (current or expired) that:

    • is issued by the federal government, a state government, a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo or an educational institution.

    • contains your name as it will appear in your voter registration.

    • contains your photograph.

You will also need to provide documentation that the address you are using to register is your current address. If your photo identification has that address, you may use it. If it does not, you must have a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document issued by an educational institution or government (including a tribal or pueblo government) with your current address. This document must be dated within 90 days prior to the date of the election. The name and address on the document must match the name and address you are using to register to vote. Even if your photo ID has your address, it is advisable to bring a copy of one of these documents, in case you are asked for it.

Note: if you are registering at a location that does not have real-time synchronization with the County Clerk’s Office, you will be issued a provisional paper ballot to vote.

Most first-time voters do not need to do anything special.

If you’re a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not include proof of identity with your registration or if you are doing Same Day Registration, you’ll need to bring identification when voting or when returning your absentee ballot in person. You must provide a physical form of identification that:

• is issued by the federal government, a state government, a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe or pueblo or an educational institution.
• contains your name as it will appear in your voter registration.
• contains your photograph.

You will also need to provide documentation that the address you are using to register to vote is your current address. If your photo identification has that address, you may use it. If not, you must have a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document issued by an educational institution or government (including a tribal or pueblo government) with your current address. This document must be dated within 90 days prior to the date of the election. Even if your photo id has your address, it is advisable to bring a copy of one of these documents, in case you are asked for it.

Please see the New Mexico Secretary of State’s page on this topic.  Call the County Clerk at 575-737-6381 or 575-737-6400 for assistance. 

You may vote in New Mexico if New Mexico was the last place you lived before moving outside the U.S. This is the case even if you moved away many years ago and no longer maintain a residence in New Mexico. If you never resided in New Mexico, but you were born to parents whose last U.S. residence was New Mexico, you are eligible to register and vote here.

You may submit an application for a ballot via mail or email to your local county clerk’s office. If you do not know which county clerk you should submit your application to, send it to the Secretary of State for routing.  You may choose to have your ballot sent to you via mail, email, or fax. Voters are then able to return their ballot via mail, email or fax provided that:

• The ballot is received in the county clerk’s office by the close of polls (7:00 p.m.) on Tuesday, November 3
• If voting by email or fax, the voter signs an affidavit waiving the right of secrecy of their ballot
• The federal qualified elector transmits the affidavit with the military-overseas ballot.

If you are already on the Permanent Absentee List, your ballot will automatically be mailed to you the week of October 6.

Otherwise, your ballot request must be received by the County Clerk’s office by October 20.

You can request your ballot online at nmvote.gov. You will need a New Mexico driver’s license or state ID to access your registration data.

You can call, email, or visit the County Clerk’s Office to request a paper application. For Taos County, email anna.martinez@taoscountynm.gov, call 575-737-6381 or 575-737-6400, or go to 105 Albright St, Suite D, in Taos.

Ballot mailing begins October 6. If you do not receive your ballot, you may call the County Clerk for a replacement.

For best results, request your ballot as soon as possible.

Complete the ballot carefully.

Make sure your signature matches your voter registration record.

Follow all instructions on the official return envelope.

Fill in all required voter information under the privacy flap.

Sign the official return envelope. This is required.

Return you absentee ballot as soon as possible.  Your ballot must be received by 7 PM Election Day, Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026.

You can track your ballot status in three ways:

• Use the NM Voter Portal (nmvote.gov) to check the status of your ballot
• Call your local County Clerk’s office (575-737-6381 or 575-737-6400) to inquire about ballot receipt and acceptance
• For those voters using an absentee ballot, you can track your ballot or sign up for alerts here.
• Tracking will show whether:
  • Your ballot was received by the County Clerk
  • Your ballot has been accepted (signature verification passed)

Because of uncertainty about delays in postal service, it will be better this year to drop your ballot in an official, secure ballot box, at any polling location in the county or to drop it off at the County Clerk’s Office at 105 Albright ST, Suite D, in Taos. This must be done by 7 PM Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

On Election Day, absentee ballots can also be dropped off at all precinct polling places.  Precinct locations can be found at https://www.taoscounty.org/506/Precinct-Locations. For polling places open for early voting, please see “Where and when can I vote early?”.

A caregiver or immediate family member (spouse, siblings, children, parents) can drop off the ballot if you are unable to do so. If someone does this for you, they must sign the back of the official return envelope.

If you have NOT mailed or dropped off your absentee ballot, you can choose to vote in person. You will be asked to complete a form confirming you have not used your absentee ballot.

You can see your sample ballot by signing in at nmvote.gov.

From October 6 – 31: You can vote at the Taos County Courthouse Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM excluding October 12. On Saturday October 31, you can also early vote from 8AM to 5PM.

From October 17 – 31: Early voting will also be available Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM to 6PM at the Penasco Community Center (14316 State Road 75), Questa Municipal Village Hall Offices (2500 Old State Road 3), or El Prado Water & Sewer District Office (1017 Paseo del Pueblo Norte),.

There are a lot of good reasons to vote early:

Tricky weather.  Pesky viruses. Surprises at work. Early voting lets us find an alternative time to vote.   

If you encounter difficulty voting, you will have time to cure the difficulty and vote.

Early voting is usually more convenient. Lines are shorter.

Disruption at the polls is less likely.

Consider voting early this year.  Bring along your friends and consider celebrating together afterwards by doing something special.

Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM on election day. If you are still in line at closing time, you will be allowed to vote.

Precinct locations can be found at https://www.taoscounty.org/506/Precinct-Locations.

Request a provisional ballot that could be counted later if it is determined you are eligible to vote. Ask why you are not allowed to vote, and how you can become eligible.

If you are registered, but your name is not found on the list of registered voters you may ask for a provisional ballot.  If you are not certain that you are registered in Taos County, you can choose to do Same Day Registration and then vote. If you do not have the proper paperwork for same day registration, you may request a provisional ballot. This ballot is not counted until you return to the County Clerk’s office within the required number of days to provide the necessary paperwork.  To see the papers required, please review “I’m not registered. Can I register the same day I vote?”

Make a plan to vote together, make it a party or offer rides to friends and neighbors.  Please email us at taosunitednm@gmail.com to learn more.

Voting is a major way to participate in our government. Many of us don’t want to “be political,” but the truth is this: decisions made by elected officials shape the price of our food, the safety of our water, the availability of our health care and housing, and every other aspect of our lives..

When we vote, we have a chance to choose people who will make life better or worse for us and our neighbors. There are meaningful differences between candidates. Perhaps one values power and strength as demonstrated in military action and war, while another finds power and strength in creating a resilient nation through keeping citizens fed, housed, and healthy. However you see it, whatever you want to choose, don’t you want to be the one to make the choice? Source: Taos United.org

Please see the Voter Bill of Rights posted by the New Mexico Secretary of State.