How COVID-19 will affect voting in the 2020 General Election

Changes to voter precincts and health updates due to the COVID-19 public health crisis are affecting the Nov. 3 General Election in New Mexico.

Earlier this year, the New Mexico Legislature went into special session and updated the state's election laws changing rural precincts to mail-only precincts.

A recent change means that the Otero County rural voting centers of James Canyon, Mayhill, Weed, Pinon, Timberon and Boles Acres can now be accessed by voters in person. Any voter can cast ballots at these locations.

To request a mail ballot, contact the Otero County Clerk's Office at 575-437-4942.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions voter must wear masks, and voting locations and personnel will use face shields, disinfectant wipes and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Social distancing measures will also be in place.

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Any registered voter can vote in the General Election. The deadline to register to vote or to update a current registration is Oct. 6 which is also the first day of early voting and when absentee ballots will be mailed.

Voter Convenience Centers

Voter Convenience Centers in Otero County include Sgt. Willie Estrada Memorial Civic Center in Alamogordo, Tays Special Events Center in Alamogordo, Otero County Fairgrounds, Tularosa Public Safety Facility Courtroom, Chaparral Community Center, La Luz Elementary School, Mescalero Community Center and Cloudcroft Council Chambers.

Voter Convenience Centers are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day Nov. 3.

Aside from Election Day voting, Otero County offers absentee voting and early voting options.

Absentee voting in-person will be held in the Otero County Administration Building room 101 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 6 through Oct. 30 and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Oct. 31.

To check voter registration visit the Secretary of State's Voter Information Portal.

Early voting locations are the Otero County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Oct. 17 through Oct. 31; Inn of the Mountain Gods from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Oct. 28 though Oct. 30 and Chaparral Community Center from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 through Oct. 31.

Mobile voting will be at Tularosa Public Safety Facility from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 and at Cloudcroft Council Chambers from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Oct. 24.

Candidates 

District 33 State Senate

• William "Bill" Burt, R-Alamogordo (Incumbent)
• Denise Lange-Browne, D-La Luz

District 34 State Senate

• Ron Griggs, R-Alamogordo, (Incumbent)
• Darren Murray Kugler, D-Cloudcroft

District 51 State Representative

• Rachel Black, R-Alamogordo (Incumbent)
• Jeff Swanson, D-Alamogordo

12th Judicial District Attorney

• Scot Key, R-Alamogordo

Otero County Clerk

• Robyn Holmes, R-Alamogordo (Incumbent)
• Cyprina Madrid, D-Alamogordo

Otero County Treasurer

• Laura Whiteside, R-Alamogordo (Incumbent)
• Glenn Josef Melton, D-Alamogordo

Otero County Commission, District 3

• Vickie Pruiett Marquardt, R-High Rolls
• Sharonlee Cummins, D-Alamogordo

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.