Nearly 38,000 independent voters participated in the state’s June 2 primary, marking the first time this fast-growing group could participate without switching their registration. The Secretary of State’s office said the number was a modest but symbolically important share of the total 345,469 ballots cast across the state — a 24.53 percent turnout among roughly 1.41 million eligible voters.
New Mexico’s shift to a semi-open primary allowed the state’s more than 380,000 independent voters — or nearly 3 in 10 of the electorate — to request either a Democratic or Republican ballot on Election Day or during early voting. “For the first time in state history, New Mexico’s independent voters had the opportunity to cast a meaningful vote,” Executive Director Nick Troiano of an advocacy group, Unite America, pointed out in a statement following the election. “For too long, hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans were excluded from primary elections they pay for simply because they chose not to join a political party. The new law ends that inequity and gives every voter a voice,” he said.
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver described the election as a huge success, noting higher overall primary turnout than in 2024. She also highlighted the smooth integration of independent participation. Data suggested unaffiliated voters split their choices, with almost half of those tracked midday on Election Day choosing Democratic ballots.
In 2024, the state legislature approved Senate Bill 16, allowing independents, also known as “decline to state” voters, to choose which party’s primary ballot they want to vote on on Election Day. The measure does not require them to change their permanent party registration. “We had a successful first Semi-open Primary Election thanks to the members of my team, county clerks, and the poll workers who have worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth voting process for all those who participated,” said Toulouse Oliver.
Independent Voters: A Growing Bloc That Finds Its Footing
Independent voters have been one of the fastest-growing segments of New Mexico’s voters. Their ranks surged in recent years, partly fueled by automatic voter registration at motor vehicle offices. But expectations for a swell in independent turnout were tempered. Observers had predicted relatively low turnout in this debut cycle as voters grew accustomed to the option. Before the election, political analyst Brian Sanderoff said, “most of them don’t know they can,” referring to the new rules.
Still, the nearly 38,000 independent ballots exceeded some forecasts, contributing to turnout that exceeded the previous comparable primary in several counties. The state’s most populous Bernalillo County reported higher numbers than in recent election cycles. Officials attributed it in part to the growing electorate.
The participation of independent voters signals that New Mexico’s experiment with greater primary access is already changing the electoral landscape, even if the impact will unfold over multiple election cycles.