New Mexico voters are being urged to cast their ballots early as voting gets underway across the state ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Voters can cast ballots in person through Halloween, the Saturday before Election Day, giving them a chance to avoid potentially long lines and any Election Day weather disruptions.
In Bernalillo County, early voting began Tuesday at the Clerk’s Annex on Lomas Boulevard, where County Clerk Michelle Kavanaugh was among the first people to vote when the polls opened.
“Going to vote early is something that we highly, highly encourage,” Kavanaugh said.
She said weather is one of the biggest uncertainties voters face on Election Day.
“Not in the last couple of years, but in my lifetime, I’ve seen snowy Election Days, rainy days, days that are just not fun to go out in,” Kavanaugh said.
“And so you never know what’s gonna happen on Election Day. Come out early. We have sites all over the county.”
Tuesday also marked the final day for New Mexicans to register to vote online or by mail.
Voters planning to cast an absentee ballot must request one by Oct. 20. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 3 to be counted.
Election officials are urging voters to plan ahead to avoid missing deadlines or facing unexpected problems on Election Day.
In New Mexico it is looking likely to be another nice day since early voting begins, with sunny weather and comfortable, seasonal temperatures.
The mornings will remain calm throughout the week, but on Thursday the northerly drainage winds might become a bit stronger and this could cause some difficulties for the special shapes.
A box effect can nevertheless occur, with the afternoon temperatures remaining about normal for this early in October, and although the chance of rain increases in western New Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday, the showers should still be light.
