Who Can Vote in the June 2026 Primary Election?
For the first time, New Mexico will have a semi-open primary, which means that more registered voters will be eligible to vote. Prior to this year, the state of New Mexico recognized only four political parties for the purposes of primary elections: the Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and Green parties. A person who listed any other party name, did not specify a party, or wrote Declined to State (DTS), would be considered DTS for the purpose of the primary election. But with the new law in place, voters who are considered DTS can now participate in the primary elections without having to temporarily change their voter registration. In addition, they may request either a Republican or a Democratic ballot at the polls. If they wish to vote absentee, they will be able to request the ballot of one of the major political parties when they apply for an absentee ballot.
Voters should also be aware that same-day voter registration (SDR) is available to those who are not registered. It is also available to voters registered with a minor party (Libertarian or Green), who wish to register with one of the two major parties and vote. Voters registered as Republican or Democratic can change their registration on May 5, 2026, or earlier. They cannot use SDR to switch parties; however, they can use SDR to change their name, address, or other contact information.
All voters, particularly those who recently changed their registration forms, should check their registration status. To check your voter registration status, go to: voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/wheretovote.aspx . Note that any registration changes made after May 5, whether with the NM Secretary of State’s website, on paper, or at the Motor Vehicle Department will not take effect until after the primary election on June 2, 2026.
For additional voting information, go to https://www.sos.nm.gov/.
Thank you, Doña Ana County Lawmakers
Rep. Nathan Small discusses legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Senator Jeff Steinborn has the microphone as he addresses other Senators during the Legislative Session.
The Legislative session ended on Thursday, Feb. 19 and the League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico wish to thank each and every one of our area legislators for their hard work on behalf of New Mexicans. Many important pieces of legislation, including some that the League advocated for, were passed and are now before the Governor for her consideration.
Ranging from medical malpractice to allowing voters to determine whether to provide legislators with professional salaries, the long list of bills, memorials, and resolutions can be reviewed. Go to nmlegis.gov and at the top of the page click on the “Legislation” menu tab. If you don’t have a bill number, you can search bills by subject matter, such as “Education,” “Taxation,” or “Environment.”
How LWVSNM Supports Democracy
League members Rebecca Courtney (left) and Randee Greenwald created signs to support democracy during a Las Cruces rally in 2025.
LWVSNM encourages residents to be involved in expressing their views regarding democracy. The League is now selling unique t-shirts that can be ordered through the League. For a few more days, League members who want to order a t-shirt emblazoned with “Women Defend Democracy” can email lwvsnm@gmail.com and specify what size is needed. Coordinator Rebecca Courtney said sizes for the cotton shirts range from small to extra-large. They cost $20 each. In addition to the shirts, the League is willing to help other members make signs that can be used during peaceful rallies. The League is also willing to make a sign for League members who are not comfortable making their own. An upcoming rally when the signs can be visible is the No Kings Rally on March 28 at the Albert Johnson Park in Las Cruces.
Legislators Discuss Proposed Bills Prior to Session
January 20, 2026 was the opening day for the NM Legislative Session. Several League priorities are being addressed, including some that were discussed with Doña Ana County 
lawmakers during a December 2025 event. The Legislative Conversation and Social was widely attended by League members, and members of two co-hosts — AAUW of Las Cruces and NAACP of Doña Ana County — which are also non-profit organizations. The event is an annual gathering to bring the League’s priorities to legislators and vice versa. Legislators who attended were: Sen. Carrie Hamblen, Sen. Joseph Cervantes, Sen. Bill Soules, Sen. Jeff Steinborn, Rep. Joanne Ferrary, Rep. Sarah Silva, Rep. Nathan Small, Rep. Rebecca Dow, and several legislative aides. Topics that rose to the top included healthcare, education, water resources, salaries for state legislators, and others. To watch the Legislature in action, go to www.nmlegis.gov/ and click on webcasts. You can select which committees you’d like to monitor.
Thank you for Voting, but our work is not done
The League of Women Voters of Southern NM thanks each and every resident in Doña Ana County who voted in the Local Regular election on Nov. 4, 2025. But the work of the LWVSNM must continue as we encourage more citizens in our county to vote in our local, state, and federal elections. Results from the NM Secretary of State’s office reports that throughout New Mexico, 350,997 ballots were cast in November, which is 25.32% of the total number of eligible voters of 1,386,040.
In Doña Ana County, the voting percentage was lower than the state’s percentage; only 18.74% of the county’s eligible voters cast a ballot totaling 26,574 out of a potential 141,730 voters. The League will work to increase this percentage in the next election in June 2026.
LWVSNM Welcomes New Members
Several new members attended the second New Members Social of the year. These gatherings give new members a chance to meet others and become more familiar with the League and its activities and goals. The Fall Social was hosted by Liz Rodriguez-Johnson, 2nd Vice President.
Several new members attended the social. TOP LEFT: The new member (center) is Stacey Hammer with Penny Scribner and Dale Yeo; TOP RIGHT PHOTO: Both Randee Greenwald and Suzanne Kane joined the League; BOTTOM PHOTO: Vice President Beth Bardwell sits with Publicity Coordinator Lynda St. Clair and new member Mona Charney (right). [Photos courtesy of Rebecca Courtney]
Healthcare Takes Center Stage at LWVSNM Event
Thank you to those who attended the Healthcare Panel Event hosted by LWVSNM on Saturday, September 13, 2025! Three experts discussed the hurdles New Mexico faces in providing equitable medical services to all New Mexicans and preventing doctors from leaving the state.
Attendees of the Healthcare Panel Event in Las Cruces raise their hands in participation. The event was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico (LWVSNM) on September 13, 2025.