New Mexico Implements Historic Semi-Open Primary System for June 2, 2026 Elections, Expanding Access for Independent Vot
Alamogordo, NM (March 28, 2026) — New Mexico voters are preparing for a significant change in how primaries are conducted. For the first time, the state will use a semi-open primary system during the June 2, 2026 primary election. This reform allows more New Mexicans, particularly those registered as Decline to State (DTS) or with minor or unrecognized parties, to participate in selecting major-party candidates without needing to switch their voter registration permanently.
The League of Women Voters of New Mexico (LWVNM) has published comprehensive guidance to help voters navigate the new rules. Only four political parties are officially recognized for primary elections: Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and Green. Voters registered with any other party name, those who left the party field blank, or those who selected “Declined to State” (DTS) are treated as DTS voters for primary purposes.
Under the semi-open primary, registered Republican and Democratic voters can continue to vote in their own party’s primary without any changes. DTS voters and those affiliated with smaller or unrecognized parties gain new flexibility: they can request and vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary ballot without altering their registration status. At in-person polling places or early voting sites, they simply ask for the ballot of their choice.
For absentee or mail-in ballots, DTS voters can indicate their preferred major-party ballot when submitting their application. The New Mexico Secretary of State’s office is finalizing the exact process for these requests, and voters are encouraged to monitor official updates for the most current instructions.
https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/372680/new-mexico-implements-historic-semi-open-primary-system-june-2-2026