{"id":177,"date":"2020-10-12T20:31:13","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T20:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/new-mexico\/press-releases\/election-protection-hotline-media-advisory\/"},"modified":"2020-10-12T20:31:13","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T20:31:13","slug":"election-protection-hotline-media-advisory","status":"publish","type":"press","link":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/new-mexico\/press\/election-protection-hotline-media-advisory\/","title":{"rendered":"Election Protection Hotline Media Advisory"},"template":"","class_list":["post-177","press","type-press","status-publish","hentry","press_type-press-release"],"acf":{"details":{"summary":"","featured_image":"","press_type":145,"authors":["{\"site_id\":\"1\",\"post_type\":\"person\",\"post_id\":7886}"],"related_issues":[98,100,107,109,400],"related_work":[111],"location":34},"sidebar":{"helper_enable_sidebar":false,"helper_media_contact":{"heading":"Media Contact","manually_enter_person":false,"person":null,"name":"","role":"","phone":"","email":""},"helper_links_downloads":{"heading":"Links & Downloads","links":null}},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Media Advisory<\/b><\/h2>\r\nTo: New Mexico Media<\/span>\r\n\r\nFrom: Common Cause New Mexico<\/span>\r\n\r\nDate: Oct. 12, 2020<\/span>\r\n\r\nContact:\u00a0 Heather Ferguson 505-980-9086\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nRe:\u00a0<\/span>Questions about Voting<\/b>\r\n\r\nWith an unprecedented number of absentee ballots already issued, and new procedures planned for polling places statewide, Common Cause is fielding many specific questions this election season.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo answer these questions and resolve any problems during the voting period, Common Cause is teaming up with the ACLU of NM to operate a non-partisan hotline for the public.\u00a0 <\/span>Voters can call 1-866-OUR VOTE <\/b>866-687-8683 <\/b>or for Spanish speakers 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA<\/b> for answers to these questions or assistance.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHere are the most common questions and answers, for assistance in your public service announcements and election coverage:\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Absentee Voting<\/b><\/h3>\r\nHow and when do I apply for my absentee ballot?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/span>You can request an application on line at: <\/span>https:\/\/portal.sos.state.nm.us\/OVR\/WebPages\/AbsenteeApplication.aspx<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or if you have already been mailed an application, by returning that to your County Clerk by mail.\u00a0 Your county clerk must <\/span>receive <\/b>your signed NM Absentee Ballot Application <\/span>by October 20.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nHow do I complete my absentee ballot?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nFollow the directions <\/span>exactly.<\/b> Complete your ballot front and back. Insert your ballot in the smaller inner envelope. Place the inner envelope in the return envelope. Be sure to sign the envelope and add the last for digits of your social security number.\u00a0 No one should sign your ballot or envelope for you.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat are the ways I can return my absentee ballot?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nBy Mail: <\/b>The New Mexico SOS suggests mailing in your ballot by October 27 to ensure it is received in time to be counted. No postage is necessary. The earlier the better!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn Person: <\/b>You can hand-deliver your ballot <\/span>enclosed in its official mailing envelope<\/b> to your County Clerk\u2019s office or annex -- check hours and locations by county. You can also deliver your ballot to any polling place on Election Day and during early voting. In several counties, there will be drop boxes outside polling places and\/or separate lines for those returning absentee ballots. Check with your County Clerk\u2019s office for specific locations.\u00a0In Bernalillo County on Nov. 3, there will be a drive-by station staffed by election personnel outside City Hall at 5<\/span>th<\/span> and Marquette.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nCan someone else return my ballot for me?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nYes. Your caregiver or a member of your immediate family may deliver your absentee ballot to the county clerk in person or by mail.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat are the deadlines to return an absentee ballot?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nYour absentee ballot <\/span>must be received by your County Clerk by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.<\/b> After October 23, the NM Secretary of State suggests hand-delivering your ballot to an early voting site or the clerk\u2019s office rather than sending it by mail in order to ensure your ballot is received in time.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nHow do I check the status of my ballot?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nIf you have not received an absentee ballot, even though you requested it, or want to check to see whether the County Clerk has received your ballot after you have mailed it back, you can enter your registration information at: <\/span>https:\/\/voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us\/WhereToVote.aspx?tab=AbsenteeTracker<\/span><\/a> to track the status of your ballot. This year, intelligent bar codes have been added to all absentee ballots to allow for this tracking process.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat if I never received my absentee ballot or my ballot is not received by the County Clerk?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nCall the County Clerk to ask for a replacement ballot, or if it is too late to receive it by mail, go to an early voting location to request a replacement ballot. You\u2019ll need to sign an affidavit stating you did not receive or use your original absentee ballot.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat if I tear, throw out, mess up or lose my absentee ballot?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nContact your local County Clerk for a replacement ballot. You will need to sign an affidavit.\u00a0 Intentionally voting twice--once by absentee and again at the polling place-- is a 4<\/span>th<\/span> degree felony. Fortunately, automated mechanisms are in place to discount any second ballot cast in error.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat if I forgot to sign my absentee ballot or add the last four digits of my social security number, as required?<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/b>\r\n\r\nWithin 24 hours,<\/span> the County Clerk will notify you by phone, email or registered letter so that you can \u201ccure\u201d your ballot and it can be counted.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/b>Follow the directions given by the Clerk, which will be to appear at the Clerk\u2019s office, annex or warehouse where you can sign the ballot. Once you remedy the problem, your vote will be counted even if you correct your error shortly after the Nov. 3 deadline.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Early and Election Day Voting<\/b><\/h3>\r\nIs Photo ID required?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nNo, voters simply state their name, address and birthdate and sign the roster on a small machine at the registration desk. There is only one exception--if you registered by mail and did not provide identification at that time. Then you must show an ID.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/b>Identification can include (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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nHow do I know where the polling places are located?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nYou can lookup your polling place online: <\/span>https:\/\/voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us\/WhereToVote.aspx<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nLocal newspapers often list the polling places.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCan I vote early<\/i><\/b>?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nYes. All registered voters can vote early. Voting began at your local County Clerk\u2019s office or their annex on Tuesday, October 6 and continues through Oct. 31. \u00a0Check your County Clerk\u2019s office to confirm hours and locations.\u00a0 More early voting locations open on Oct. 16\u00a0 (7am-7pm) in every county and remain open through Oct. 31. Go to your County Clerk\u2019s website for exact locations, or use the link above.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat safety precautions are being taken at polling places?<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\r\n\r\nPoll workers will have protective garb, including masks and shields. Polling stations and equipment will be regularly sanitized. Voters must be spaced six feet apart when standing in line. Masks will be provided and are encouraged; however those without masks will not be ejected.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Registration<\/b><\/h3>\r\nCan I still register to vote?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nThe online voter registration deadline has passed, however, you can still register at the County Clerk\u2019s office or early voting locations from Oct. 16-31.<\/span>\r\n\r\nCan I register to vote and vote on the same day?<\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAlthough voters cannot yet register and vote on Election Day, Nov. 3, they can register during the early voting period\u00a0 (Oct. 16-Oct. 31) at the Clerks office or annexes or at designated early voting locations\u2014and then vote on the same day. To find out which locations are registering voters contact your County Clerk.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Polling Place Procedures<\/b><\/h3>\r\nWhat if I go to the polling place and they say I am not on the rolls?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nIf you have moved and failed to change your registration, or an error has been made and you are not on the rolls, you must be given a provisional ballot.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nDo provisional ballots count?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nYes. After your County Clerk verifies that you\u2019re qualified to vote, your ballot will be counted within ten days of the election. If you\u2019d like to watch your ballot being counted, you may contact your County Clerk<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nHow do I know I can cast my ballot without interference?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nThe right to cast your ballot is a sacred American right.\u00a0 The NM Election Code forbids electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place. Intimidation of voters and obstruction are crimes. Police are not permitted inside polling places unless precinct officials call them in to resolve disputes. However, under New Mexico law, weapons\u2014concealed and unconcealed\u2014may be carried into polling places.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat do I do if I am being intimidated or discouraged from voting?<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nEvery eligible voter has the right to vote safely in person without fear and intimidation<\/b>. If you or someone you know experiences voter intimidation during this election, call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat if my vote is challenged by a poll challenger?\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\r\n\r\nNM Election Code permits each political party to appoint poll watchers and poll challengers for each polling place. If they are properly registered with the County Clerk, they can observe who votes.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nMost often, Poll Watchers are connected with a political party\u2019s get-out-the-vote efforts, and they simply phone back to their headquarters to indicate which of their known supporters have (or have not) voted.\u00a0 These watchers must live in the county and should not be directly interacting with voters inside a polling location.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHowever, there are also party affiliated Poll Challengers. They are also stationed inside a polling location and they may challenge an individual\u2019s right to vote with the precinct judge, if for example, the voter does not appear on the voting rolls. That voter may be asked to cast a provisional ballot and the voting roll will note that their vote was challenged. Precinct officials have a methodology of resolving these challenges. Nevertheless, the voter hotline should be notified when these issues arise.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>"}}]},"yoast_head":"\nElection Protection Hotline Media Advisory - Common Cause New Mexico<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/new-mexico\/press-releases\/election-protection-hotline-media-advisory\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Election Protection Hotline Media Advisory\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/new-mexico\/press\/election-protection-hotline-media-advisory\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Common Cause New Mexico\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/new-mexico\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/common-cause-share-image.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/new-mexico\/press-releases\/election-protection-hotline-media-advisory\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/new-mexico\/press-releases\/election-protection-hotline-media-advisory\/\",\"name\":\"Election Protection Hotline Media Advisory - 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