Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office Urges Voters: Drop It, Don’t Mail It!
Santa Fe County, NM – With the June 2, 2026 Primary Election quickly approaching, Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine E. Clark is encouraging absentee voters to return their ballots using one of the County’s official ballot drop boxes or by bringing them directly to a polling location, rather than relying on mail delivery close to Election Day.
Under New Mexico law, completed absentee ballots must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Night, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in order to be counted.
“At this point in the election cycle, we strongly encourage voters not to return completed ballots by mail,” said Clerk Clark. “Using an official ballot drop box or bringing your ballot directly to a polling location is the best way to ensure it arrives safely and on time.”
Recent changes in postal processing may also increase delivery times. Mail sent from Santa Fe may now travel to regional USPS processing centers outside northern New Mexico before being routed back to the Clerk’s Office, increasing the risk that ballots mailed close to Election Day could arrive too late to be counted.
Official Ballot Drop Boxes Offer a Secure, Local Option
Official ballot drop boxes provide voters with a secure and convenient way to return absentee ballots directly to election staff without relying on postal delivery timelines.
Voters may also return completed absentee ballots inside any open polling location during voting hours.
Voters can find ballot drop box locations, polling locations, wait times, sample ballots, and additional election information at SantaFe.Vote
Prefer to Vote in Person?
Santa Fe County voters still have one week left to vote early in person.
Voting early not only gives voters more flexibility and typically shorter wait times — it also helps reduce Election Day lines and eases pressure on the election system for voters who may only be able to vote on Election Day itself.
“We encourage voters to vote early if they have the flexibility to do so,” said Clerk Clark. “Early voting helps reduce Election Day congestion and makes the process smoother for everyone, especially voters who may not have the flexibility to vote on Election Day.”
The Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office is also offering several programs and community events available exclusively during the Early Voting period, giving voters additional opportunities to engage with the community while casting their ballot.
Families visiting select Early Voting locations can participate in KidsVote: Practice Makes Future Voters, a hands-on civic engagement program where children can cast practice ballots while accompanying a parent or guardian to vote.
KidsVote is available through May 30 at:
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Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office 240 Grant Ave. Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. One Saturday only: May 30, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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Nancy Rodriguez Community Center 1 Prairie Dog Loop Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Voters looking for a more convenient, no-wait experience can also take advantage of Vote by Appointment, the first program of its kind in New Mexico, which allows voters to reserve a scheduled voting time at select Early Voting locations.
The Clerk’s Office will also host Paws at the Polls, a pet adoption event in partnership with Española Humane Society, outside the Nancy Rodriguez Community Center Early Voting location on:
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Friday, May 29 | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Nancy Rodriguez Community Center 1 Prairie Dog Loop, Santa Fe
Paws at the Polls gives voters the opportunity to meet adoptable pets while casting their ballot during the Early Voting period.
For more information, visit SantaFe.Vote or contact the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office at (505) 986-6280.
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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