How do I register to vote?

A regular local election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 2

To be eligible to register you must be: a New Mexico resident, a U.S. citizen, someone who has not been denied the right to vote by a court of law due to mental incapacity, 18 years or older at the time of the next election. If you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed all of the terms and conditions of parole or supervised probation or have had the conviction overturned on appeal.

You can register online at https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/InstructionsStep1.aspx

To register by mail, send the voter registration application to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office or your local County Clerk’s Office. If you are doing first time registration by mail, you must also submit a copy of 1) a current and valid photo ID, or (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student ID card or other government document, including ID issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address.

Register in person at the county clerk’s office.

If you change your name, move or want to change your party affiliation, you must fill out a new voter registration form.

Register online or by mail by Oct. 5 to cast a ballot in November’s election. Same day in person registration is available at the county clerk’s office during early voting period.

Socorro’s County Clerk is Betty Saavedra, and her office can be contacted at 575-835-0423.

Socorro County Clerk’s mailing address: P.O. Box 1, Socorro, NM 87801

Find more information on voting and elections at sos.state.nm.us

Early Voting and Absentee Ballots

Early voting is available October 5-30, Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Socorro County Clerk’s Office, 200 Church St., Socorro. The only Saturday date for early voting is Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Absentee ballots are available beginning Tuesday, Oct. 5 and absentee applications will be accepted through Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Where are ballot drop boxes located?

Voters can use ballot drop boxes to drop off their absentee ballots, or they can go into the County Clerk’s office. They can also mail their ballot back.

There is a ballot drop off box located on the side of the County Manager’s office on Church Street in Socorro. There is also one in Alamo at the Wellness Center.

El Defensor Chieftain