Common Cause New Mexico Reminds Voters “Election Night is not Results Night”

Election officials expect nearly one million ballots to count if 2020 turnout numbers hold 

Santa Fe — New Mexico voters have until 7 p.m. tonight to cast a ballot in person or to hand return their absentee ballot to a polling location or county clerk’s office for the 2022 midterm election. As voters head to the polls, Common Cause New Mexico is reminding voters that it may take days for election officials to finalize results.  

“It’s crucial every voice is heard in this election and that means counting every vote,” said Mario Jimenez III, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico. “It takes time to count every vote accurately and that’s why election night is not results night. Even though we may not know the election winners when we go to bed, what matters most is making sure every voter’s ballot is counted accurately.” 

Before election officials can begin counting ballots, they must first process ballots, which includes checking to make sure the declaration on the outside of the envelope is signed by the voter and that the voter is on the absentee ballot list. 

New Mexico is one of 38 states that permit election workers to begin processing ballots before Election Day, but is one of 16 states that forbid election workers from counting ballots before the polls close on Election Day.  

“State law means that New Mexico’s election workers will be tasked with carefully processing and counting every ballot starting November 8, likely requiring days to accurately count all ballots,” said Jimenez. 

In 2020, 68.67% of New Mexico voters turned out to vote, with nearly one million ballots cast. If voter turnout levels hold, New Mexico can expect to see similar numbers again in this year’s midterm election.

To find 2022 New Mexico election results, click here.