Option 1: In Person Voting At A Polling Location. (Socially distanced, wearing a mask)

• AT EARLY VOTING
  Begins in Rio Arriba County on October 6, 2020 and continues through Saturday, October 31, 2020
• ON ELECTION DAY
  November 3, 2020 between 7am and 7pm.

Option 2: Absentee Voting (aka Mail In)

In New Mexico, the “ABSENTEE” BALLOT IS YOUR MAIL IN BALLOT. The terms “Absentee” or “Absentee Mail In” or “Mail In” all represent the same thing: The ability to Mail In your ballot if you choose.

Absentee ballots are available to every New Mexican registered to vote, regardless of where you are or your ability to vote in person.

YOU MUST APPLY TO RECEIVE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT (DETAILS IN STEP 3)

Your Absentee Ballot will be mailed USPS to your registered mailing address. If you cannot receive an Absentee Ballot by mail, contact the Rio Arriba County Clerk and ask them to email your ballot to you or to make it available for pick up.

Your completed Absentee Ballot can be safely returned by:

Dropping It Off

• At either Rio Arriba County Clerk’s Office during business hours, any day from October 6 thru Election Day November 3, 2020.
• At any polling location in the County during opening hours on Early Voting days – from Saturday October 17 thru Saturday October 31 – and by 7pm on Election Day Tuesday November 3, 2020.
• At the Secretary of State’s Office in Santa Fe during business hours any day from October 6 thru 7pm on Election Day November 3, 2020.

Mailing It In

Mail the Absentee ballot back to your County Clerk to arrive NOT BEFORE OCTOBER 6 AND NO LATER THAN FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 to ensure your vote will arrive, even if there are postal delays, by the deadline of 5pm on Election Day, November 3.

All Voter Registration Information must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday October 6.

First Time Voter Registration

In Person

The Rio Arriba County Clerk is offering a really fantastic service to Residents: Same Day Voter Registration with Early In Person Voting at both County Clerk Offices from October 6 thru October 31. This is so convenient as you can Register and Vote at the same time. See Step Number 3 for this way to Register to Vote.

Online

New Mexico Secretary of State online first time Voter Registration https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/InstructionsStep1.aspx

In order to register to Vote online, your personal information must match the information that is on file with the NM Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). These are the things that must match the MVD records: your social security number, your driver’s license number or state identification number, and your date of birth.

Fill Out A Form

If you do not have a NM driver’s license or state identification card issued by the MVD, you can fill out the below NM Voter Registration Form

https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/VRForms/VRFormEnglishFinal.pdf (ENGLISH)
https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/VRForms/VRFormSpanishFinal.pdf (ESPAÑOL)

Submit with the form a copy of (1) a current and valid photo identification; OR (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address. If you do not submit one of these forms of identification with your mailed-in, first time registration, then you would be required to present one of the forms of identification when voting in person or absentee.

Call the County Clerk’s Office

Ask them to mail a Voter’s Registration Application Form or arrange for pick up. Return by Mail or deliver back to the County Clerk’s Office.

Checking Your Voter Registration Information

It’s important to make sure your Voter Registration is correct so there are no “hitches” at the polls.

Online

Via the NM Secretary of State website;
https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/WhereToVote.aspx
Enter your First and Last Name, Date of Birth and County and the site will bring up your currently recorded Registration Details.

Call the County Clerk’s Office

Ask them to tell you your current registered information or to email or mail it to you.

Updating Your Existing NM Voter Registration Information – Your Legal Name, Address, or Your Political Party Affiliation Has Changed

Online

In order to update your registration online, your personal information must match the information that is on file with the NM Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). These are the things that must match the MVD records: Your social security number, your driver’s license number or state identification number, and your date of birth.

https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/InstructionsStep1.aspx

Fill Out A Form

If you do not have a driver’s license or state identification card issued by the MVD, which are required for changes online, you can make updates by filling out the below Voter Registration Form (which is the same Voter Registration Application Form you used for initial enrollment).

https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/VRForms/VRFormSpanishFinal.pdf (ESPAÑOL)

https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/VRForms/VRFormEnglishFinal.pdf (ENGLISH)

MAIL IN OR DELIVER IN PERSON to a County Clerk’s Office or the Secretary of State’s Office in Santa Fe

Convicted Felons CAN Have Their Voting Rights Restored

If you are a convicted felon you CAN have your voting rights restored and then register to vote. You must have completed the court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole or probation for the conviction. To determine if you qualify to have your voting rights restored, contact the NM Department of Corrections, Division of Parole and Probation (505.827.8830) or a comparable agency in the state in which you were convicted.

Now that you have chosen how you will vote and verified your Registration, here are the details to ensure safe, secure voting.

Option 1: In Person Voting At A Polling Location

EARLY IN PERSON VOTING WITH SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION AT COUNTY CLERK LOCATIONS

Rio Arriba County is offering a really fantastic service to Residents where you can register and then vote at the same time and place. Runs from October 6 thru October 31 at the below locations.

Take ID with you. (1) a current and valid photo identification; OR (2) a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address.

Rio Arriba County Clerk’s Office at 7 Main Street, Tierra Amarilla, NM 87575

• Tuesday, Oct. 6 thru Friday, Oct. 9 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 thru Friday, Oct. 16 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Monday, Oct. 19 thru Friday, Oct. 23 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Monday, Oct. 26 thru Friday, Oct. 30 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
• Saturday, Oct. 31 •  10:00am – 6:00pm

Espanola Clerk’s Alternate Site, Clerk’s Election Warehouse at 714 Calle Don Diego, Espanola, NM 87532

• Tuesday, Oct. 6 thru Friday, Oct. 9 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
  Tuesday, Oct. 13 thru Friday, Oct. 16 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
  Monday, Oct. 19 thru Friday, Oct. 23 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
  Monday, Oct. 26 thru Friday, Oct. 30 • 8:00am – 5:00pm
  Saturday, Oct. 31 • 10:00am – 6:00pm

EARLY IN PERSON VOTING WHERE YOUR REGISTRATION NEEDS TO BE UP TO DATE

Runs from Saturday October 17 thru Saturday October 31 at the below locations:

Health Commons at 2010 Industrial Park RD., Española, NM 87532

• Saturday, Oct. 17 • 10:00am – 6:00pm
• Tuesday, Oct. 20 thru Saturday, Oct. 24 • 10:00am – 6:00pm
• Tuesday, Oct. 27 thru Saturday, Oct. 31 • 10:00am – 6:00pm

Jicarilla Apache Nation Tribal Building at 25 Hawks Drive, Dulce, NM 87528

• Tuesday, Oct. 20 thru Thursday, Oct. 22 • 10:00am – 6:00pm

Ohkay Owingeh Senior Center at 217 N Cross Place, Ohkay Owingeh, NM 87566 (Subject to change)

• Saturday, Oct. 24 • 10:00am – 6:00pm
• Tuesday, Oct. 29 thru Saturday, Oct. 31 • 10:00am – 6:00pm

Santa Clara Senior Citizens Building at 636 One Kee St., Española, NM 87532 (Subject to change)

• Thursday, Oct. 29 thru Saturday, Oct. 31 • 10:00am – 3:00pm

IN PERSON VOTING ON ELECTION DAY November 3, 2020 between 7am and 7pm

Below is a list of the polling locations in Rio Arriba for Election day. Plan ahead, call the County Clerk to verify the opening hours of your location of choice. As long as you are in line prior to the polls closing, election officials must let you vote—regardless of how long it takes before your turn.
http://www.rio-arriba.org/pdf/departments_and_divisions/clerk’s_office/2020_election_day_voting_locations.pdf

If you do not have computer access, call the Rio Arriba County Clerk and ask them to guide you to the Election Day Polling Location most convenient to you.

You can also see a list and the opening hours of your eligible Polling Places by going to your Voter Registration information at the Secretary of State website: https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/WhereToVote.aspx

People with disabilities (ie blindness, deafness, physical disability, inability to read or in a language minority) are legally entitled to ask for assistance at a Polling Place and may be assisted by any person of their choice (except their employer, agent of their employer, an officer or agent of their union, or a candidate who is on the ballot).

Option 2: Absentee Voting (aka Mail In)

Aim to return your Absentee Ballot by Friday October 23 to be sure it is received by November 3.

YOU MUST APPLY TO RECEIVE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Online

Now available through the NM Secretary of State Website https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/AbsenteeApplication.aspx?type=RA

In order to apply for an Absentee Ballot on the Secretary of State website, your personal information must match the information that is on file with the NM Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). These are the things that must match the MVD records: your social security number, your driver’s license number or state identification number, and Your date of birth.

Fill Out A Form

If you are not do not want or can’t apply for an Absentee Ballot online, you can print out your request for one here and Mail it or deliver In Person to a Rio Arriba County Clerk’s Office.
https://realfileee3072ab0d43456cb15a51f7d82c77a2.s3.amazonaws.com/97e1ee9d-281c-412a-9a85-0ea2e65f70ff?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJBKPT2UF7EZ6B7YA&Expires=1598213971&Signature=NnUT8Z%2FyhHLUt%2FSUOcIryXtCO2Y%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DNMAV%2009-2019.pdf&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf

Military and Overseas Voters

Can vote by Absentee Ballot and must also submit an application
https://www.sos.state.nm.us/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal/military-and-overseas-voting/

How Will I Receive the Absentee Ballot that I Applied For?

Your Absentee Ballot will be mailed USPS to your registered mailing address. If you cannot receive your Absentee Ballot by mail, contact the Rio Arriba County Clerk and ask them to email your ballot to you or to make it available for pick up.

If you do not receive your Absentee Ballot, please contact the County Clerk’s Office no later than Monday, November 2, 2020.

How Do I Return/Cast My Absentee Ballot?

• Drop it off at a County Clerk’s Office any day from October 6 thru 7pm on November 3, 2020
• Drop it off at any polling location in Rio Arriba County during Early Voting from October 17 thru 31 or on Election Day on November 3.
• Mail the ballot back to the County Clerk’s Office or the official Return Address noted on the ballot. NOT BEFORE OCTOBER 6 AND NO LATER THAN FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 to make sure your vote arrives by Election Day on November 3.

You can check the status of the Absentee Ballot that you have returned, by going to your voter Registration with the Secretary of State https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/WhereToVote.aspx

If you mail your ballot back but it still has not been received by Election Day, you still have the option to go to a polling place and cast a ballot. You will just need to sign an affidavit cancelling the mailed ballot you submitted.

October 30 is the last day County Clerks will mail out or distribute an Absentee Ballot. October 31 is the last day you can return/cast your Absentee Ballot. But, to be safe, AIM TO RETURN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT BY Friday OCTOBER 23!

Research Your Ballot – Information is Power!

Now that you are all set to Vote, educate yourself about the candidates on your ballot so you are prepared to exercise your opinions in your Vote.

This website allows you to see who is up for election at the Federal, State and County level in Rio Arriba.
https://www.ballotready.org/