We’ve gotten used to the lightning speed of the digital age. These days, we don’t have to wait for much. Want a T-shirt with your own face on it? I’m sure it can be printed, packaged and posted to your doorstep within three business days.In many states, registering to vote is also a quick and easy process. In places like Minnesota and Wyoming, qualified citizens can simply show up on Election Day, register on the spot and vote. Unfortunately, here in New Mexico, it’s a little more complicated. If you want to vote in the upcoming election, you need to register by Tuesday, Oct. 5. No matter what your political views are, this is a big election that will determine our next governor, not to mention our congressional representatives and legislators. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2. You will have the opportunity to vote by mail or in-person at your County Clerk’s Office starting Tuesday, Oct. 5. Additional early voting sites will be added Saturday, Oct. 16, to make the process even more convenient. As always, it’s smart to vote early to avoid Election Day crowds.You can register in several ways. Do it in person at your County Clerk’s Office. If you live in Bernalillo County, this is on the sixth floor of One Civic Plaza in Downtown Albuquerque (the corner of Fifth Street and Marquette). The number is (505) 468-1291. Those outside Bernalillo County should go to www.sos.state.nm.us/sos-cclerk.html to find the addresses and numbers for their clerks.You may also call your clerk to request that a registration form be sent to you by mail. Registering at certain public agencies or through a certified voter registration group is also a possibility.Not sure if you’re signed up yet? Call your clerk to confirm, or go to https://voterview.state.nm.us and click on “Search Your Voter Registration Information.”Finally, it’s possible that you’ll have questions or concerns about the voting process and aren’t getting the answers you want from your clerk. In such circumstances, please contact Count Every Vote New Mexico, a nonpartisan voter protection program designed to enhance the integrity of the election process in our state. You can find out more at www.counteveryvotenm.org.As in past elections, this program offers a toll-free voter information hotline. On Election Day and the day before (Monday, Nov. 1), you can call this number and an election specialist will answer your questions. Right now, you can call the number, leave a message with your name, number and question, and an election specialist will get back to you in a timely fashion to address your concern. The voter information number is (866) OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). This program will also be monitoring polling locations on Election Day. If you want to help out, go to www.counteveryvotenm.org/volunteer.Good luck, and happy voting.
Steven Robert Allen is a former Alibi editor and the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico (commoncause.org/nm).
