Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office Announces Winning Name of Ballot Sorting Machine as Absentee Ballot Request Portal Opens
Santa Fe County, NM – The Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office is pleased to announce that “Poll McCartney” has been selected as the official name of the County’s high-speed ballot sorting machine, following the conclusion of a months-long, community-driven naming contest.
With the New Mexico Secretary of State’s absentee ballot request portal now open, voters can now request their absentee ballot online. Voting by mail is a convenient option for many voters, and Santa Fe County Clerk's Office is prepared to support that choice, with systems like the ballot sorter helping ensure ballots are handled efficiently, accurately, and securely.
 The ballot sorter naming contest launched earlier this year as a public engagement initiative designed to educate residents about elections, voting systems, and the growing role of mail-in ballots in New Mexico. Community members submitted more than 60 creative name ideas through outreach events, social media, and public submissions. After an initial review, the Clerk’s Office narrowed the list to approximately 40 entries, which advanced through multiple rounds of Ranked Choice Voting.
The final round featured five top finalists, with Poll McCartney ultimately emerging as the winner.
“This contest was a fun and meaningful way to involve the community in our elections process while also teaching people how Ranked Choice Voting works,” said Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine E. Clark. “We were thrilled to see such creative participation.”
The ballot sorter plays a critical role in Santa Fe County’s elections, particularly as vote-by-mail participation continues to grow. The machine opens and sorts thousands of ballots, tracks chain of custody in real time, and helps ensure ballots are processed accurately and efficiently. Its use supports New Mexico’s commitment to accessible, transparent, and secure elections.
The contest also served as an educational opportunity to highlight New Mexico’s voter-friendly election system, including expanded access to early voting, absentee voting, and the permanent absentee voter list — one of the easiest and most secure ways for voters to participate in elections. With the New Mexico Secretary of State’s absentee ballot request portal now open, eligible voters can easily request their absentee ballot online. As more voters choose to vote by mail, tools like the ballot sorter help ensure elections remain efficient, accurate, and well-managed.
“Santa Fe County continues to lead the way in making voting accessible while maintaining strong election security,” said Clerk Clark. “This machine helps us manage increasing ballot volume and prepare for future elections, all while maintaining transparency and public confidence.”
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