Legislation
New Mexico has adopted Semi-Open Primaries!
This legislation allows independent and minor-party voters to participate in publicly-funded primary elections by selecting a ballot of the major political party of their choice to vote on, without changing their registration!
Primaries in New Mexico
Before the passage of Senate Bill 16 (SB 16) in 2025, only members of major parties (Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian at the time) could participate in our state’s primary elections. In order for Independent or Decline-to-State (DTS) voters to participate, they had to use the same-day voter registration system to change their party affiliation to receive the ballot of the party they chose.
With SB 16, over 330,000 independent and DTS voters will now be able to request the ballot of the party they choose and participate in primary elections. SB 16 has been implemented and will impact primary elections starting in June 2026. Common Cause New Mexico is proud to support SB 16 and the education efforts to come regarding semi-open primaries. Opening our primary elections makes our election process more inclusive and representative of ALL voters.
Why Open Primaries are Crucial to Election Access
Independent voters and DTS voters are quickly becoming the largest voting block in all of New Mexico, representing 22% of our state’s entire electorate. Primary elections determine 80% of all elected seats due to uncompetitive districts and elections, but in 2024, New Mexico’s primary turnout was only 17%. (Source: New Mexico Open Elections)
With the implementation of semi-open primaries in our state, we hope that we’ll see great changes to New Mexico’s primaries!
Who are New Mexico's Independent Voters?
35%
Young voters (voters under the age of 35) are registered as independent more than either major party
New Mexico Open Elections
41%
Percentage of young Native voters are Independent or DTS - with 28% of all Native voters registered as Independent
New Mexico Open Elections
42%
Percentage of Hispanic/Latino voters overall are Independent or DTS - 32% of young Hispanice/Latino voters are Independent
New Mexico Open Elections
This will ensure the voices of hundreds of thousands of folks across New Mexico will be heard in our primary elections, and Common Cause is honored to be a part of a movement expanding access to voting when we see so many states trying to restrict it.Molly Swank, Executive Director of Common Cause New Mexico
Coalition Working to Support Semi-Open Primaries in New Mexico
- Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity
- Common Cause New Mexico
- Conservation Voters of New Mexico
- DPNM Environmental Justice Caucus
- DPNM Veterans and Military Families Caucus
- Equality New Mexico
- Green Party of NM
- La Raza Unida de Nuevo Mexico
- League of Women Voters of New Mexico
- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico
- NAACP NM
- NM Asian Family Center
- NM Black Leadership Council
- NM Comunidades en Acción y de Fé (NMCAFé)
- NM Native Vote
- NM Voters First
- Progress Now New Mexico
- UNM College Democrats
- Veterans for All Voters
- Young Democrats of New Mexico
This isn't just policy, it’s progress, and it speaks volumes about what’s possible when we come together and fight for a fairer and more inclusive democracy.Sila Avcil, Common Cause New Mexico Advisory Board Member
& Executive Director of NM Voters First
