January Mid-Month Newsletter

January 15, 2026

As we look ahead to the 2026 election cycle, the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office is excited to share important updates, deadlines, and opportunities to get involved. From candidacy requirements and New Mexico’s Open Primary system to community contests and classroom programs, we are committed to keeping our community informed, engaged, and connected to the democratic process.

What's New at the Clerk's Office?

 Important Reminder for 2026 Candidates: January 26 Deadline

Individuals considering running for office in the 2026 Primary Election are reminded that voter registration changes must be completed by Monday, January 26, 2026. Once the Secretary of State issues the official proclamation, voter records are locked for candidacy eligibility.

Candidates may not make changes to voter registration for the purposes of candidacy after that time.

Voter registration updates can be completed at NMVote.org.

 2026 Will Be an Open Primary Election in Santa Fe County

Under New Mexico’s Open Primary system, voters registered as Declined to State (DTS) may choose which party’s primary ballot they wish to receive. This expands access to the primary election while preserving each party’s nomination process.

Candidates and voters are encouraged to learn more about how Open Primaries work at our newly-launched education page.

Final Round: Help Name Santa Fe County’s Ballot Sorter!

Our community contest to nickname the County’s high-speed ballot sorting machine has reached its final round! After receiving 68 creative submissions and advancing through multiple Ranked Choice Voting rounds, five finalist names remain:

• Martin Sort
• Poll McCartney (currently in the lead!)
• ZiaSort
• Count Factula
• Liberty

Residents are invited to rank their favorites using Ranked Choice Voting. The ballot sorter plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in securely processing and tracking thousands of mail-in ballots.

 Vote and follow the results in real time here.

KidsVote: Democracy Delivered – Now Scheduling for 2026

The Clerk’s Office is now accepting requests to bring KidsVote: Practice Makes Future Voters directly into classrooms through our new KidsVote: Democracy Delivered program. This hands-on civic education experience allows students to use real tabulators and mock ballots to learn how elections work in a fun, engaging way.

By bringing KidsVote directly to schools, we are removing transportation and cost barriers and making civic education accessible to every school that wants to participate.

To schedule a visit, educators can contact: elections@santafecountynm.gov

To learn more, visit our KidsVote webpage.

As always, we are grateful to our community for staying engaged, asking great questions, and participating in the democratic process. For more information about elections, voter registration, or upcoming outreach opportunities, please visit SantaFe.vote or contact our office at 505-986-6280.

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