Initial Election Day Observations Show Processes Generally Ran Smoothly, with Some Lagging of Same-Day Voter Registration Systems

Santa Fe, N.M. – Observe New Mexico Elections (ONME), a nonpartisan effort to strengthen transparency and increase trust in elections, mobilized 260 trained and certified observers across the state to observe election processes before and during the 2026 General Election. Based on initial field reports, there was strong voter turnout and processes across counties generally ran smoothly, with some issues related to delays in same-day voter registration systems. Same-day registration delays persisted for several hours in some locations but ultimately appear to have been effectively addressed by poll workers.

The trained observers, certified by the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office, assessed county level electoral processes including Voting Machine & Equipment Certification, Poll Worker Training, Early Voting, Absentee Ballot Pre-Processing, and Election Day voting. This is the fifth consecutive election monitored by ONME.

“Extensive preparation goes into ONME’s poll observation efforts. We thank our volunteer observers for putting in the time and energy to make this work possible,” said Carmen López, Co-Leader of ONME. “Initial feedback from ONME observers shows that the General Election ran smoothly overall, with a handful of polling sites impacted by delays in the same-day voter registration system. In addition, poll workers in flood-affected areas sought creative solutions to keep the lines moving. We look forward to sharing comprehensive findings about how processes were followed across the state in a final report.”

Observers, stationed at Election Day polling sites, gathered comprehensive data on the administration of elections. ONME will also observe each county’s certification of election results. ONME will release a comprehensive final report summarizing its observations and findings. You can learn more about ONME, its methodology, and how elections are observed here.

In a handful of locations throughout the day, same-day voter registration systems were reported to have issues – either being slow or going down completely. ONME received positive reports about the creativity of poll workers in high turnout areas by shifting resources between polling locations.

To learn more about ONME’s election observation initiative, read past findings or explore volunteer opportunities, visit observenmelections.org.

About Observe New Mexico Elections 

Observe New Mexico Elections (ONME) is a nonpartisan effort to increase transparency and trust in elections. Led by New Mexicans, ONME trains voters from all 33 counties to observe electoral procedures, report impartially, and provide timely public information. The organization’s standardized reports create a data-driven assessment of election conduct. ONME has observed and reported on elections in New Mexico since 2024 and represents the state’s largest nonpartisan election observation effort.

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