Election season officially starts May 5th. Here’s what you need to know.
Here’s what’s in this story:
New this year: semi-open primary elections
Who’s on the ballot (so far)
When you can vote
More about the state election changes
Early voting for New Mexico’s primary election begins May 5, and this year comes with a major change: a new semi-open primary system that allows independent voters to participate in partisan primary elections.
What’s different?
During the 2025 legislative season, New Mexico lawmakers passed Senate Bill 16, which created a semi-open primary system. The new law went into effect on July 1, 2025, and will be used for the first time during this year’s primary election.
If you’re registered with one of the major political parties — Democrat or Republican — you must vote using the ballot of the party listed on your registration. However, you may change your party affiliation at any time before early voting starts on May 5.
If you’re registered as “declined-to-state,” or are with an unqualified minor party, you will be allowed to choose a major party’s ballot at voting time without having to formally change your voter affiliation. Absentee ballot recipients registered as such will be contacted in advance by the clerk’s office.
If you’re registered with one of the state’s “qualified minor parties” — Libertarian Party or Green Party — you can change your party affiliation to a major party or DTS using same-day voter registration in order to vote in the primary election.
The New Mexico Secretary of State’s website (nmvote.org) has a number of links where citizens can register to vote, review their current voter registration and party affiliation, and request an absentee ballot. Registration can also be done by mail or at any MVD office.
The state’s same-day voter registration process can also be utilized by those who are eligible to vote but are not currently registered, along with those who are registered as DTS or with a qualified minor party. Same-day registration is available at the county clerk’s office or at any polling location in the county on Election Day.
Los Alamos ballot snapshot
This year’s primary election in Los Alamos features a mix of contested local races and several candidates currently running unopposed. Keep in mind, however, that independent candidates can register to be on the ballot until June 25, so a win in the primary is not necessarily a guaranteed win in the general election.
Here’s a quick look at the races and major-party candidates in Los Alamos:
County council (four seats): Incumbents Theresa Cull (D) and Melanee Hand (D) are seeking to retain their seats for a second four-year term, while several candidates are looking to get into the council lineup.
Democratic candidates:
David E. Hampton
Joseph F. Granville
Theresa A. Cull (incumbent)
Steven S. Lynne
Melanee M. Hand (incumbent)
Republican candidates:
Eric Roland Stromberg
Jason Alan Chappel
County sheriff:
Two Democrats, Antonio L. Maggiore and David Israelevitz, will compete for the position of sheriff. The Republican Party did not file any candidates for county sheriff this year.
Uncontested primary races:
Several local and state positions have only one major-party candidate filed. Those candidates will advance to the general election, assuming they each receive a minimum of one vote in the primary.
Magistrate Judge: Catherine E. Taylor (D)
County Assessor: Jeff Casalina (D)
Probate Judge: Perry C. Klare (D)
Municipal Judge: Elizabeth K. Allen (D)
1st Judicial District Judges: Denise M. Thomas (Family Court) and Anastasia R. Martin (Rio Arriba Civil, Adult Criminal Courts)
NM House District 43 Representative: Christine Chandler (D)
Statewide races
Other state races on the ballot include governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, state treasurer, and commissioner of public lands.
New Mexicans will also vote on the U.S. Senator seat currently held by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan. No Republican is running, which leaves Lujan with one primary opponent, Matt Dodson. Voters will also decide three seats for the U.S. House of Representatives, including District 3 that serves Los Alamos, which is currently held by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary; Martin Zamora is seeking the Republican nomination to face Leger Fernández in the general election.
Official sample ballots should be released by the county clerk’s office very soon.
League of Women Voters of Los Alamos will hold its Candidate Forum this Thursday, April 30, from 7 pm to 9 pm — with refreshments at 6:30 pm — at UNM-LA Student Center. The forum will be limited to races where candidates face opposition (Los Alamos County Council and Sheriff.)
When and where to vote in the primary election
Early Voting: May 5 – 15
Los Alamos Municipal Building, 8 am – 5 pmExpanded Early Voting: May 16 – 30
Municipal Building and White Rock Town Center, 8 am – 6 pmElection Day: June 2, 7 am to 7 pm
A full list of county voting locations can be found on the clerk’s webpage here.
The general election will be held on November 3, 2026.
