Voting and Elections

Local Election Act Information

The Local Election Act (LEA) was passed by the New Mexico Legislature in 2018. The Local Election Act provides for consolidated local election to be conducted in New Mexico. In addition, HB 407 was signed on April 3, 2019, which provided additional updates to  the LEA.

The LEA repealed the Municipal and School Board Election Codes and requires all elections to follow uniform election procedures for the call, conduct, and canvass of all elections. The LEA established two new statewide elections:

  1. Regular Local Election: the biennial local election at which local governing body members are elected pursuant to the provisions of the LEA held every November of the odd-numbers years
  2. Municipal Officer’s Election: the local governing body and any elective executive and judicial officers of a municipality held every March of even-numbered years.

In addition, all Special Local Elections in New Mexico will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Special Election Act.

Local governments that can participate in the Regular Local Election are defined as:

  • a political subdivision of the state with or without authority to levy taxes pursuant to Article 8, Section 9 of the constitution of New Mexico and its enabling legislation, but and does not include a conservancy district governed pursuant to Chapter 73, Article 14 or 18 NMSA 1978 or a county;
  • a political subdivision of the state without authority to levy taxes pursuant to Article 8, Section 9 of the constitution of New Mexico or its enabling legislation, but whose statutory provisions provide for election of officers or ballot questions to be decided

Pursuant to the Local Election Act, municipal districts have the option of opting-in to the Regular Local Election by June 30, 2019. Municipalities who Opt-in can lengthen or shorten its municipal officer’s terms to comply with the LEA timeframes. Please send municipality Opt-in ordinances via email to the SOS to: Elections@sos.nm.gov

Local Elections Act Resources

Contact Information

Bureau of Elections
Email: Elections@sos.nm.gov
Phone: 505-827-3600

Upcoming Statewide Elections

2024 Primary Election: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 

2024 General Election:  Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Quick Contact Information


Mailing & Physical Address
New Mexico Capitol Annex North
325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Hours of Operation
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday

Toll Free : 1-800-477-3632

Business Services Division
Phone 505-827-3600 (Option 1)
Fax 505-827-4387
Email Business.Services@sos.nm.gov

Bureau of Elections
Phone: 505-827-3600 (Option 2)
Email: Elections@sos.nm.gov

Ethics Division
Phone: 505-827-3600 (Option 2)
Email: Sos.ethics@sos.nm.gov

Receptionist
Phone 505-827-3600 (Option 3)

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