THIS IS HOW

WE BEGIN HERE:

NMVote.org

Because this is  where you can: register to vote, check your voter information, update your information (particularly your address for an Absentee Ballot [“AB”] ), and most important it is the easiest place to request your absentee ballot.

We expect the REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOT online function to go live shortly (on or about August 22nd) – so please be patient and consider this:

Are you concerned about stressing the US Postal System?

1-2 USPS interactions: When you request your Absentee Ballot online, the Secretary of State’s Office will mail it to you. You can mail in in or you can hand deliver it to your County Clerk or a polling location. This method involves a minimum of Post Office involvement.

3-4 USPS interactions: If you don’t request an Absentee Ballot online, the SOS or your County Clerk will mail you an Absentee Ballot Request Form/Application (1st),you fill it out and ,ail it back (2nd), once processed, you are mailed an Absentee Ballot (3rd) and when completed you either mail it in (4th) or hand deliver.

We think NMvote.org is the most efficient, least stressful, and recommended way to apply for your Absentee Ballot – it also eliminates the worry regarding questionable applications you may have received in the mail.

Here is a series of illuminating questions about mail-in voting from one of Terry Storch’s Precinct Chair’s with answers received from the Bernalillo County Clerk’s office:

Thank you for your questions regarding the  upcoming election.  I have answered each question below.  Should you  have any other questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
•             Will I be notified when my mailed in ballot is received?  When it is counted?
Our office does not notify voters when the absentee ballot is received, however you can visit www.NMVote.org to view the absentee ballot tracker.  In addition, the absentee mail  process is very secure and ensures every voter has their vote counted in  accordance with state law.  Absentee ballots are accepted if they have  all the required voter information and signature on the envelope.  The  ballots are registered to be counted after it has been accepted.   The  registered ballots will then be tabulated into the “live results” after  7:00pm on Election Day.
•             Will there be drop boxes as an alternative to USPS return?   You  can drop off your absentee ballot safely and securely at any one of our  Early Voting and Election Day sites. We are currently working on  expanding upon our established method for a more fast, friendly, and  convenient experience to dropping off your ballot. In addition, our  office will be setting up a drop off location at the state fairgrounds  from October 6 – November 3, 8am to 5pm.
o             Will drop boxes be monitored by bipartisan observers? In  accordance with state laws, our Early Voting and Election Day locations  are staffed with constituents of all political parties.
o             Will there be a bipartisan chain-of-custody from pickup until deposit / storage / counting? The  absentee ballots from the various drop off locations will be picked up  by Bernalillo County Staff members and delivered to the Absentee board  which is comprised of constituents of all political parties.
o             Will drop boxes have protective measures against malicious acts, for example, arson or theft?  The  drop off ballot boxes are safely inside of each location and ballots  are picked up daily to ensure safe delivery to the Absentee board.
•            Can absentee ballots be dropped off at polling places on election day? Yes, they can be dropped off at all Early Voting and Election Day locations.
•             Can I deliver absentee ballots for my elderly and at-risk neighbors?  Here  is what state law says regarding this question “If returned by a person  other than the voter, the official mailing envelope shall contain the  signature, printed name and relationship to the voter of the person  returning the ballot.  A voter, caregiver to that voter or member of  that voter’s immediate family may deliver that voter’s absentee ballot  to the county clerk in person or by mail; provided that the voter has  subscribed the official mailing envelope of the absentee ballot.  As  used in this section, “immediate family” means the spouse, children,  parents or siblings of a voter.”Best Regards,

Charles Romero
Bureau of Elections-Administrative Officer III
County Clerk’s Office
One Civic Plaza NW, 6th Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Email: 
(505) 468-1214
www.bernco.gov