Q. Where can I register to vote in Colfax County?
A. You can come by the Colfax County Clerk’s office at 230 North 3rd St. Raton, NM 87740.
Q. When are the elections in 2016?
A. The Primary Election will be on June 7, 2016, and the General Election will be on November 8, 2016.
Q. How long must I live in Colfax County before I can register to vote?
A. There is no durational requirement for voter registration in New Mexico. Once you have established a residential address, you may register to vote.
Q. How old do I have to be to register to vote?
A. You must be 18 on or by the date of the next election.
Q. I'd like to volunteer to work at the polls. How can I do that?
A. Great! We always need good poll workers. Please fill out the online form or leave a message with any of the county clerk’s staff (575) 445-5551.
Q. Can I register by mail?
A. Yes, just call the Office of the County Clerk at (575) 445-5551, and we will mail you a certificate of registration, which you can complete and mail back.
Q. What documents do I need when I register?
A. If you register in person, you do not need any identifying documents. However, if you are a first time registrant by mail, you need to send in one of the following documents with your registration if you wish to avoid showing identification at the polls on Election Day:
A copy of a valid driver’s license or other photo identification, with or without an address; a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck; student identification, tribal identification, or other government document.
Q. Will I get an identification card from your office?
A. Yes, usually within three weeks of registration, except for those times when the books have been closed for an election.
Q. Do I have to declare a party affiliation when I register to vote?
A. No, but remember that New Mexico has a closed Primary Election and, unless you declare affiliation with a major party (at this time Democrats and Republicans only), you cannot vote in a Primary Election. You may vote in all other elections (i.e., municipal, school, general or special bond and tax elections).
Q. What about the Presidential Caucus?
A. If the major political parties choose to hold a caucus, rather than a presidential Primary Election (which coincides with the state Primary Election), it is also closed to voters who are not affiliated with that party.
Q. What is the deadline for voter registration?
A. In general, 28 days before an election. For the exact date and locations for a specific election, please contact your County Clerk's Office.
Q. How can I get an absentee ballot?
A. You can call the County Clerk’s Office at (575) 445-5551 and we will send you the application. Also, candidate organizations and political parties often carry out absentee application events.
Q. Can I use one application to vote absentee in every election?
A. No, you must apply with a separate application for each election.
Q. I received my absentee ballot, but I changed my mind and want to go to the polls on Election Day. Should I throw out the ballot I received?
A. No! A voter is issued only one ballot for an election, unless an error is made in marking that ballot. If you destroy your ballot and go to your polling place on Election Day you will not receive another ballot.
Q. I was late in applying for my ballot and its Election Day. What can I do?
A. Go to your polling place and explain that you never received your ballot. You will have to sign a sworn statement that you did not receive or vote your absentee ballot, and you will be given a paper ballot to vote.
Q. A member of an organized political group approached me to fill out a voter registration form and an absentee application. Is this safe?
A. Not always. There have been instances where unethical individuals do not turn in these forms and voters do not get registered and do not receive a ballot. If you are concerned, apply directly with the County Clerk’s Office.
Q. When does absentee voting begin?
A. You may request your application at any time. Ballots are mailed starting 28 days before that election.
Q. Can I vote early in person before Election Day?
A. Yes, also beginning 28 days before any county-wide or federal election, you can vote early in person at the County Clerk's Office.
Q. What are the hours of voting?
A. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Your County Clerk's Office is open for early voting during regular business hours 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Q. How can I cancel my Voter Registration?
A written request by a voter to cancel the voter's registration shall be in writing. Fill out the cancellation form and mail it to the County Clerk's office.
Q. What if I have other questions about elections?
A. Call the Colfax County Clerk’s office at (575) 445-5551.