Now that you’re provided with the information you need to make educated choices at the polls, how do you find said polls? What do you need when you get there? And how do you determine if you’re even registered? Relax, dear readers, we’ve done the work for you. If I’m registered to vote in national elections, am I automatically registered to vote in local elections? Yes, as long as the address you used to register for the national election was within city limits. However, if you haven’t voted within two general election cycles (which occur every two years—this year is a general election), the County Clerk automatically purges you from the system and you must reregister. How do I find out if, and where, I’m registered? Call the County Clerk at 468-1290 to find out if you’re registered and, if you are, under what address. If I’m not already registered, how do I register? Unfortunately, the cutoff to register to vote in this election was Oct. 10. But do yourself a favor and register now so next time you won’t have this problem. Registration forms can be picked up or requested at the County Clerk’s Office (468-1290), the Office of the Secretary of State (505-827-3600), any public library or at Motor Vehicle Department locations. Mail your registration to the County Clerk’s at One Civic Plaza NW, Albuquerque, N.M., 87102. The office is on the sixth floor. If this is your first time registering within the state or country and you’re mailing your registration, you need to include a copy of a current ID, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or any other government document with your name and residence on it. Visit the County Clerk’s website at bernco.gov/clerk to make sure you have everything you need. Which poll location should I go to ? If you know the address you’re registered under (see above), visit the County Clerk’s website at bernco.gov/clerk and click on the link in the upper right-hand corner titled “Where Do I Vote?” (It’s the first link under “Election Info.”) Enter your address and a locator map will tell what precinct you’re in and where you should vote. If that doesn’t work, call the County Clerk at 468-1290. Do I need to bring a photo ID? Not necessarily. Valid forms of ID include one of the voter ID cards sent out earlier this year, a driver’s license, student ID, any photo ID, paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or any government document that attaches your name to your address. You can also just bring your name, year of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Can I still vote early? Yes, if you hurry. Early voting polls close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. Polls are open from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. There are 12 early voting sites open, as follows:● Rio Bravo Shopping Center (Rio Bravo and Isleta) ● Sandia Vista Shopping Center (Menaul and Juan Tabo) ● Glenrio Plaza (Coors and Glenrio) ● APS City Center, 6400 Uptown NE ● 5024 Fourth Street NW (north of Fourth Street and Griegos) ● Integrity Plaza (Wyoming and Constitution) ● Parkland Plaza (San Mateo and Kathryn) ● Los Vecinos Community Center, Tijeras ● Plaza Ladera (Sequoia and Coors) ● 900 Fourth Street SW, Suite B (Fourth Street and Atlantic) ● Academy Office Park (Academy and Truchas) ● Los Ranchos Villa (Fourth Street and Osuna) You can also vote early at the County Clerk’s Office at One Civic Plaza NW (Fifth Street and Marquette, on the sixth floor) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday. When is my absentee ballot due? If you’ve already received an absentee ballot, you need to deliver it to the County Clerk’s office or your precinct voting location by 7 p.m. on election day. If you’re mailing your ballot, give yourself a few days before the election to make sure it gets there in time. Will we use paper or electronic ballots in this election? Paper. Due to legislation passed earlier this year, paper ballots are now required in New Mexico elections. When do I vote? Voting day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Polls are open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. If you’re still in line when the polls close, have no fear, you’ll still be able to vote.
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For any additional voting questions, contact the County Clerk’s Office at 468-1290 or the Secretary of State’s Office at (505) 827-3600.
