FAQ - Elections

Did You know that the County Clerk:

Conducts all State, County and school elections
Assists the Municipal Clerk during city elections

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ELECTIONS

Question:	When are Primary and General Elections held?
Answer:	The Primary Election is held the first Tuesday in June every even numbered year. The General Election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every even numbered year.



Question:	Where do I go vote in statewide, school and municipal elections?
Answer:	Refer to your voter information card for your voting precinct for statewide elections (Primary and General). For school elections, contact the County Clerk's Office for precinct consolidations and locations. For municipal elections contact the Municipal Clerk or County Clerk for precinct consolidations and locations.



Question:	How do I request an absentee ballot and do I need a reason to vote absentee?
Answer:	No, you do not need a reason to vote absentee, any eligible registered voter may vote absentee. To request an absentee ballot contact the following offices for the related elections: Otero County Clerk for statewide, county, and school elections - Otero County Clerk 1000 New York Ave., Room 108 Alamogordo, NM 88310-6932 Phone: (575) 437-4942 Alamogordo Municipal Clerk for City elections - City of Alamogordo Attn: City Clerk 1376 E. Ninth Street Alamogordo, NM 88310 Phone: (575) 439-4205 Village of Tularosa Clerk for Village elections - Village of Tularosa Attn: Village Clerk 703 4th Street Tularosa, NM 88352 Phone: (575) 585-2771 Village of Cloudcroft Clerk for Village elections - Village of Cloudcroft Attn: Village Clerk Cloudcroft, NM 88317 Phone: (575) 682-2411 You may request a ballot in writing or by calling these offices.



Question:	How long before an election is the absentee voting process?
Answer:	In statewide and county elections, a person may vote absentee at the County Clerk's Office from 8:00 a.m. on the twenty-eighth day preceding the election up until 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately prior to the date of the election. In addition, Early Voting - In Person begins on the twentieth day prior to the election. In school elections, a person may vote absentee at the County Clerk's Office from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the twenty-fifth day preceding the election until 5:00 p.m. on the Friday immediately prior to the day of the election. In municipal elections, a person may vote absentee at the City Clerk's Office from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the thirty-fifth day preceding the election until 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday immediately prior to the date of the election.



Question:	Do I need to change my address on my voter registration every time I move?
Answer:	Yes, in order to be placed in a correct precinct and proper districts.
Question:	If I reside outside of the City limits of Alamogordo, but own property that is located inside the City limits, am I allowed to vote in city elections?
Answer:	The only city issues which you would be eligible to vote on would be General Obligation Bond questions. You would be termed a nonresident municipal elector and would be required to file with the City Clerk a form which verifies that you are the owner of property located within the City. This form can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office, and must be taken to the County Treasurer's Office and the County Clerk's Office for certification. This process must be completed not more than 60 nor less than 15 days prior to the election. If you are a nonresident municipal elector and would like to automatically be notified whenever there will be a Municipal General Obligation Bond election, please call the City Clerk's Office at (575) 439-4205 to have your name included on the nonresident municipal elector list.



Question:	Can I register the day before an election and be eligible to vote in that election?
Answer:	No. You must be registered 28 days prior to an election if you are not currently registered.



Question:	Can I vote for whomever I want in any election?
Answer:	In Primary Elections, you must be affiliated with one of the major political parties to be eligible to vote. If you are affiliated with a Minor Party or Declined to State, you are not eligible to vote in the Primary Election. Everyone who is registered to vote is eligible to vote in the General Election and can vote for anyone of their choosing, within their districts. In other elections, those being schools, city, etc., you may or may not be able to vote for any candidate depending on the district in which you live. You should always contact the County Clerk's Office if you have any questions regarding eligibility.

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