LOCAL

Election Day approaches as early voting numbers reach just above 400

Jessica Onsurez
Ruidoso News

As Election Day approaches in Lincoln County, the number of voters utilizing early and absentee voting opportunities was slow but steady.

The Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State reported that 441 Lincoln County voters had cast an early or early in-person absentee ballot.

Of those voters, 266 were Republicans while 126 were Democrats. Forty-six voters declined to state a party affiliation; the remaining voters identified as Libertarian or self-identified as "other."

On Oct. 27, that number was 364, with Lincoln County Republican voters still outpacing Democrats in casting ballots.

More:Your guide to early voting in Lincoln County: 2021 regular local election

More:These candidates are running in the 2021 local election in Lincoln County

Only 16 Lincoln County residents had utilized same day registration by Oct. 27 and only 92 requests for absentee ballots had been received, according to the data.

By Oct. 28 only two additional voters had opted for same day registration.

Local elections are nonpartisan.

More:300 early votes cast in Lincoln County

On ballots Nov. 2 is the mayoral seat in the Village of Capitan where Tiffany Menix, Lilly Bradley and Ron Lowrance each sought the position. 

Councilor positions are open in Carrizozo and the Village of Corona, while school board positions are open in Capitan, Hondo, Corona, Carrizozo and Ruidoso.

The Village of Ruidoso opted-out of the Local Election Act which aligned local elections with other state and national races. 

For more information on voting contact the Lincoln County Clerk's office at 575-648-2394, extension 6 or visit the website at www.lincolncoountynm.gov

Where to cast your ballot

Election Day voting occurs at any of these voting centers in the county from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 2. Any registered voter may vote at any of the voting locations.

  • Corona Village Hal, 461 Main Street, Corona NM
  • Lincoln County Courthouse, 300 Central Avenue, Carrizozo NM
  • Capitan Municipal Schools, 150 Forest Street, Capitan NM
  • Ruidoso convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Drive, Ruidoso NM
  • Ruidoso Downs Zia Center, 26337 US Highway 70, Ruidoso Downs NM
  • Hondo Valley Public School, 111 Don Pablo Lane, Hondo NM

Check your voting registration and view a sample ballot online at NMVote.org.

Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@gannett.com, @JussGREAT on Twitter at by phone at 575-628-5531.