Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office Reminds Major Party Voters to Update Registration by May 5 Ahead of Primary Election
Santa Fe County, NM – As the Primary Election approaches, the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office is urging registered Democratic and Republican voters to review their voter registration and update their party affiliation, if needed, before the May 5 deadline.
Voters can make updates to their registration online through the end of the day on May 5. After that date, online registration updates will no longer be available.
Registered Democratic and Republican voters will not be able to change their party affiliation after May 5—including at a polling location using Same Day Registration—and will receive their registered party’s ballot for the Primary Election.
Voters who are not registered with a major party may still use Same Day Registration at a polling location. However, the Clerk’s Office encourages all voters to review and update their registration in advance, as completing updates online is typically faster and easier.
Under New Mexico’s semi-open primary system, a voter’s party affiliation determines which ballot they receive. Registered Democratic voters will receive the Democratic ballot, and registered Republican voters will receive the Republican ballot. Voters who are not registered with a major party (Independent or Decline to State) may choose either the Democratic or Republican ballot at the polls without updating their registration. Voters registered with a qualified minor party (Green or Libertarian) must update their registration—either online by May 5 or using Same Day Registration at a polling location—if they wish to vote a Democratic or Republican ballot in the Primary Election.
Voters can confirm their registration status, check their party affiliation, and view their personalized sample ballot online through NMVote.org or by visiting SantaFe.Vote and selecting “Check Voter Registration.”
“Knowing your registration status before you vote can save time and prevent surprises at the polls,” said Clerk Katharine E. Clark. “We encourage voters to check their registration early and make any needed updates before May 5.”
Additional voter resources, including information on registration deadlines, ballot options, and how the semi-open primary works, are available at SantaFe.Vote.
Voters are encouraged to verify their registration, review their sample ballot, and make a plan to vote.
Important Election Dates
May 5, 2026 – Early voting begins at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office.
May 5, 2026 – Absentee (mail-in) ballots begin mailing to voters who have requested them.
May 16, 2026 – Expanded early voting begins at additional early voting locations throughout the county.
May 19, 2026 – Last day to request an absentee (mail-in) ballot (must be received by this date).
May 25, 2026 – Polls are closed for Memorial Day.
May 30, 2026 – Last day of early voting at expanded early voting locations.
June 2, 2026 – Primary Election Day (Polls open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.).
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