With polls closed, over 205,000 New Mexicans participate in primary election
By the time the polls closed on Tuesday, more than 205,000 individuals had cast their votes in New Mexico’s primary election. A 5 p.m. update from the New Mexico secretary of state revealed that 85,583 New Mexicans voted on election day, in addition to the 119,966 ballots cast during the early voting period.
At the 5 p.m. mark, 121,615 people had cast their votes in the Democratic primary, whether on election day or during early voting. Additionally, 83,248 individuals participated in the Republican primary, while 684 votes were recorded in the Libertarian primary.
Early voting data indicated that 87,787 individuals voted in-person, while 32,179 people opted to vote by mail. The New Mexico secretary of state will continue to provide updates on the results throughout the night.
As the focus shifts to the November general election, some winning candidates from Tuesday will face opponents, while others may not face significant competition in the primary.
This year marks the first presidential election for Lauren Hartzell, a 19-year-old student at the University of New Mexico, who is a registered independent. Despite planning to vote in the general election, Hartzell missed participating in the primary due to a lack of awareness about the process.
Expressing the need for more education on voting procedures, Hartzell highlighted the importance of accessible information to encourage more young voters to participate in the electoral process. Similarly, first-time voter Lily Rich emphasized the necessity of unbiased sources to aid in decision-making, especially for young voters navigating the complexities of political discourse.
Both Hartzell and Rich underscored the significance of voting as a fundamental aspect of democracy, urging individuals to exercise their right to have a say in shaping laws and policies.
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