Socorro and Catron counties post high voter turnouts

More than 11% of Socorro County registered voters cast their ballot during the first week of absentee and early voting.

County Clerk Betty Saavedra said voting was brisk last week. She noted, usually in a Presidential election, her office will see a higher voter turnout, compared to gubernatorial, mayoral or county commissioner elections.

Of the 11,015 registered voters in Socorro County, 1,245 voters turned out in the first week to vote. Saavedra indicated that her office also had received 526 absentee ballots.

In Catron County, County Clerk Sharon Armijo indicated they have been busy as well. There are 3,216 registered voters in Catron County. Armijo also indicated they have issued 782 absentee ballots as of Friday.

Besides early voting at the courthouse, mobile early voting sites are available. Early voting at the Quemado Community center was conducted on Monday and Tuesday; and on Thursday and Friday early voting will take place at the Datil Fire Department from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Next week, early voting will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., October 28 and 29 at the Glenwood Community Center.

Thus far, more than 50,000 New Mexicans voted during the first week of absentee and early voting, with Republicans outpacing Democrats so far in turnout rate.

Going into Tuesday, nearly 4.6% of registered Republicans had already voted in this year’s general election compared to about 4.2% of registered Democrats.

That voting trend bucks early turnout rates in other recent elections, said Brian Sanderoff, the president of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc., which analyzes data released by Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s office.

In previous election years, Democrats have generally voted at a higher clip during early voting than Republicans, Sanderoff said. However, more Democrats have voted overall than Republicans in New Mexico so far, with Democrats accounting for about 49.2% of all votes cast and Republicans accounting for roughly 38.9%.

That’s because Democrats entered this year’s election cycle with a significant edge in registered voters — roughly 43% of New Mexico’s more than 1.3 million voters are Democrats while about 31% are Republicans.

The remaining voters are either affiliated with other political parties or have declined to state their party affiliation. Meanwhile, several counties posted especially high turnout rates during the first week of absentee and early voting.

In southern New Mexico, Sierra and Socorro counties also posted high turnout rates, with more than 12% of registered Democrats and Republicans alike having voted in Sierra County and nearly 13% of registered Republicans in Socorro County.

Overall, the 50,109 votes cast in New Mexico with two weeks left until Election Day are more than double the number cast at the same point in the 2022 general election — the most recent statewide election.

However, presidential election years — like this year — typically feature higher overall voter turnout, and this year’s contest has generated ample voter excitement and angst.

Early voting continues until November 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Socorro County Clerk’s office. The office also will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 2. In Magdalena, early voting is being conducted at the Magdalena Senior Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in addition, the Senior Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, as well.

All absentee ballots must also be returned by Election Day, which is Nov. 5.

Publisher’s note: Albuquerque Journal Capitol Bureau reporter Dan Boyd contributed to his story.