By the #s: New Mexico’s growing independent voter base

"Decline to state" voters are an increasing percentage of the state's electorate, according to a review of Secretary of State data.

By: Patrick Lohmann

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: March 30, 2026

Words: 552

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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The number of New Mexico voters who opted not to register with a political party has steadily increased over the last year, ahead of the state’s first-ever semi-open primary.

The June 2 primary election marks the first time that “decline to state” voters — ones unaffiliated with a political party — don’t have to register with a major political party to cast ballots in those parties’ primary races to choose candidates for the …

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