New Mexico
New Mexico
GradeA-
Year2025
TierMid Tier

Back to Map

View Scorecard for Year

Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

New Mexico solidified its pro-voter reputation by broadening primary access and successfully launching Secure AVR. While legislative changes in election policy in 2025 were minimal, the session was marred by a troubling reduction in election funding, which is cause for significant concern given New Mexico’s comparatively low election spending and risks undermining the state’s strong record on elections management. For these reasons, New Mexico received an A- on this year’s progress report.

Looking Back

Where New Mexico Started at the Beginning of 2025

  • Automatic Voter Registration: Secure AVR
  • Online Voter Registration: DMV ID
  • Same-Day Registration: Yes
  • Restoration of Rights: Prison Disenfranchisement
  • Vote by Mail: No-Excuse
  • Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
  • Early Voting Opportunities: Regular Ballot Early Voting
  • ID Requirements: No Document Required

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for New Mexico as of 2024, we considered the state a middle tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2025 activity against other middle tier states.

How Our Tier Compares

  • COVI (2024): 19th
  • EPI Score (2022): 1st

2025: This Past Year

Legislative Action

This year the New Mexico Legislature increased voter access by allowing independents a chance to vote in state primaries.

  • SB 16 allows unaffiliated voters to participate in party primaries without having to change their nonpartisan status.
  • HB 2, the state appropriation act, included a reduction of election funding. This is troubling because New Mexico already spends less on elections than most states and the cuts could hurt its strong record of running elections well.

Implementation Action

  • New Mexico’s Secure AVR system went live in July of 2025, after months of dedicated effort by the Motor Vehicle Division and secretary of state. In just its first month, SAVR led to an almost 300% increase in newly registered voters at the MVD, and more than 16,500 updates for existing voters — increasing access for eligible New Mexicans, while simultaneously strengthening the accuracy and integrity of New Mexico’s voter rolls.
  • New Mexico’s Motor Vehicle Division and Corrections Department also partnered to provide state-issued IDs to all individuals being released from state correctional facilities. This is a proven strategy to support individuals during the re-entry process and remove barriers to housing, employment, and civic participation.