ELECTION 2026
OPINION: Opening the door to more voters in New Mexico
Voting in New Mexico has quietly 鈥� but meaningfully 鈥� become more accessible. The implementation of semi-open primaries is helping expand participation and strengthen our democracy, particularly for the hundreds of thousands of decline to state (DTS) voters who have long been sidelined in primary elections.
New Mexico鈥檚 shift to semi-open primaries marks a significant change in who gets to easily participate. According to the secretary of state鈥檚 March 2026 statistics, more than 25% of registered voters 鈥� over 370,000 people 鈥� are not affiliated with a major political party. Until now, these voters were effectively excluded from the primary process, where many key electoral decisions are made.
That has changed.
Under the new system, DTS voters can now participate in primary elections without changing their registration. When they go to the polls, they may simply request either a Democratic or Republican ballot. The same flexibility applies to absentee voting: DTS voters can choose which party鈥檚 ballot they want when requesting their absentee ballot. This change removes a longstanding barrier and invites a broader range of registered voters to vote in the primary election. If you need more information, further details are available on the secretary of state鈥檚 website .
The League of Women Voters of New Mexico is once again offering its online voter guide at , a tool designed to help voters make informed choices before they ever step into a voting booth.
While many voter guides are available, VOTE411.org stands apart for its commitment to neutrality and depth. Candidates respond directly to questions about their qualifications and positions on issues that matter in their communities, giving voters unfiltered insight. By entering their address, voters can preview their exact ballot and review candidate responses 鈥� all in one place. It is a practical tool that delivers clear, unbiased information. In addition, the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico offers primary voter guide PDFs for Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties on its website, , and is distributing printed voter guides at locations throughout these four counties to ensure voters have access to reliable information wherever they are.
Expanded access to primary voting and access to candidate information work hand in hand. It鈥檚 not enough to invite more people into the process; we must also ensure they have the tools to participate thoughtfully and confidently.
This primary election is an important one, and for many New Mexicans, it will be their first opportunity to weigh in at this stage. The goal is simple: Make sure those 370,000 newly enabled voters understand their options and know where to turn for reliable information.
Democracy works best when more people take part. New Mexico has taken a meaningful step forward. Now it鈥檚 up to voters to step through the door.
Starlyn Brown is the president of the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico.
