Hello fellow political junkies!

Here is what to expect to see at polling places with extended early/absentee voting in full swing and Election Day a fortnight away.

New Mexico’s registered voters are guaranteed the right to vote by secret ballot, without intimidation or discrimination.

The only exception it for overseas and absentee ballots.

 “If you are voting oversees or by absentee the poll workers will need to adjudicate the ballot, and the voter gives up their right to secrecy.  Clerks protect that information of course, but processing cannot necessarily guarantee secrecy within the office,” Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark said.

The only time a photo ID is required to vote in New Mexico is if the voter registered for the first time or registered to vote by mail and did not provide identification.

The New Mexico Secretary of State provides the New Mexico Voter Bill of Rights to let voters know their rights. Voters can call 1-800-477-3632 to report any polling place complaints or irregularities.

Some of the people who will be at the polls include poll workers, challengers, poll watchers, observers and peace officers.

Poll workers are the frontline workers who direct you to a desk to be checked in and print out your ballot before you go to a polling station to fill in your ballot before going to the next set of poll workers who watch as you load your ballot into the ballot tabulators.

Poll workers are trained and recruited months prior to the election and are extensively trained. The poll workers are clerks and a presiding judge, who serves as a manager of the polling place.

For more information about poll workers in your county, contact your county clerk’s office.

Election challengers are appointed by county political parties prior to the election.

“Technically challengers can be appointed at any time by the political party if they have an appointment letter. They do have to take and pass the approved training by the SOS or county clerk, but SOS does not approve challengers. Watchers and observers do need prior notification to and screening by the SOS seven days in advance,” Clark said.

Related: New Mexico county, state election officials prepared for the election

Challengers can let poll workers know if they suspect someone is not registered, previously voted or is otherwise not qualified to vote.

Candidates and police officers are not allowed to be challengers.

Challengers are not allowed to talk to voters, issue frivolous challenges or delay voting.

A presiding judge can remove a challenger who they think is interfering with the voting process.

Poll watchers are similar to challengers except they are appointed by election-related organizations such as the League of Women Voters or Common Cause New Mexico and are approved by the SOS prior to the election.

Poll watchers ordinarily monitor voter turn-out.

Observers are academics approved by the SOS or are international observers approved by the U.S. State Department.

Peace officers are allowed at polling places upon election official’s request to observe election activities.Police officers can only interfere with voting procedures to maintain order in the event of a disturbance.

Peace officers including sheriffs, sheriff’s deputies, state or municipal police officers are not allowed to serve as party challengers, watchers or observers.

Also, open carry firearms are not allowed at polling places as per law passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Law enforcement and licensed security personnel are exempt from the ban.

New Mexico election info

The New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office posted a list of bond questions and constitutional amendments that will appear on statewide ballots. 

These can be seen here. For more information about what will appear on your local ballot, contact your local county clerk’s office which can also help you check on or update your voter registration, a process that can also be done online at NMVote.org. 

To see who the candidates are, please visit the New Mexico Secretary of State’s 2024 General Election Contest/Candidate List.

The Election Results 2024 will be posted to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office website after polls close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. It currently lists the 2024 primary results.

Upcoming Debate

There will be a debate between the incumbent U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Nella Domenici on Oct. 27 at Congregation Albert Brotherhood, 3800 Louisiana Boulevard NE in Albuquerque. There will be a deli brunch at 9:30 a.m. prior to the debate. The deli brunch costs $20 and both require reservations by Oct. 24 which can be made here.

Note: this section has been updated to provide clarification about what is allowed in polling places.

Upcoming interim committee meetings

Interim Legislative Finance Committee will meet Oct. 21 in Room  322 at the State Capitol.

Interim Legislative Finance Committee will meet Oct. 22-24 in Room  322 at the State Capitol.

Interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee will meet Oct. 21-24 at  Rio Rancho Public School District Training Center 500 Laser Road NE in Rio Rancho.

Interim Legislative Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommittee will meet Oct. 25 in Room 309 at the State Capitol.

Interim Legislative Investments and Pensions Oversight Committee will meet Oct. 29 in Room 307 at the State Capitol.

For more information about interim committee meetings, visit nmlegis.gov and click the Committees tab at the top of the screen.

Tips, subscriptions and more

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–Nicole Maxwell