By Pat Davis, The New Mexico News — As Chaves County voters turn their attention to Tuesday’s final Election Day, early voting data shows that local partisan voters in both major parties are eager to vote this cycle, 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 28% of registered Democrats and Republicans in Chaves County turned out for early voting, though Republicans outnumber Democrats by 10,000 (18,500 to 8,500) in the county. While early voting was popular among partisan voters this cycle, early voting participation by unaffiliated or “Decline to State” voters lags behind early turnout trends for partisans. Just 9% of the county’s 10,900 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 statewide 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 or Chaves County Clerk’s Office.