By Pat Davis, The New Mexico News — As Sandoval County voters turn their attention to Tuesday’s final Election Day, early voting data shows that partisan voters in both major parties were eager to vote this cycle, though Democrats outperformed Republicans in early turnout, while unaffiliated voters are still mostly on the sidelines.
Voter turnout data from the Secretary of State’s Office analyzed by The New Mexico News found that 46% of approximately 45,000 registered Democrats in Sandoval County have already cast a ballot compared to 40% of 39,000 registered Republicans. While early voting was popular among partisan voters this cycle, early voting participating by unaffiliated or “Decline to State” voters lags behind early turnout trends for partisans. Just 25% of the county’s 33,000 DTS voters voted early.
Statewide, Republicans represent 30% of registered voters and 31% of votes cast. Democrats, who make up 40% of registered voters, cast 51% of early voters. Nonpartisan or DTS voters made up 16.5% of early voting though they account for 28% of statewide voters.
Republicans traditionally prefer to vote on Election Day which may even out partisan enthusiasm trends, but the relatively low turnout of nonpartisan voters may be an early indicator that many voters are frustrated with both major parties and intend to sit the election out.
Voting on Tuesday is open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at election sites in each county. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Find a polling place near you from the Secretary of State at nmvote.gov