Prepare to cast your vote in the New Mexico CD-1 election with the NMBLC special election resource guide.
The special election for Congressional District 1 (CD-1) in New Mexico is on June 1, 2021. This race will fill the seat vacated when Deb Haaland was confirmed as the cabinet secretary for the Department of the Interior. CD-1 covers Bernalillo, Torrance, and parts of Sandoval, Santa Fe and Valencia counties.
The candidates running for Congressional District 1 are
Melanie Stansbury, New Mexico State Representative (D), Website: https://melaniefornm.com/
Mark Moores, New Mexico State Senator (R), Website: http://markmoores.com/
Aubrey Dunn, Former New Mexico State Land Commissioner (I), Website: https://aubreydunn.com/
Chris Manning, US Army Reserve Veteran (L), Website: https://www.manning4nm.com/
Keep scrolling to find information on requesting your absentee ballot, where to find your polling location, and information about the candidates so that you can make an educated voting decision.
How to Request Your Absentee Ballot
Want to avoid the lines and do the ultimate social distancing for this election? Stay home on election day and mail in your ballot instead. Request your absentee ballot by May 18, 2021. To request an absentee ballot, click here: https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/AbsenteeApplication.aspx
- Under “Elections” select “Special Congressional District Election One”
- Click Next and complete your voter identity information.
- Click Next and confirm your registration data.
- Click Next and select your ballot type and delivery method.
- Click Next to review and submit your application.
To make sure your absentee ballot arrives in time to be counted, mail it by May 25, 2021.
Not Registered to Vote? Do Same Day Registration
If you haven’t yet registered to vote, you can still vote in the special election with same day registration. Register to vote or update your voter registration and vote at the same time.
New Mexico law now provides the opportunity for people to register to vote or update their voter registration immediately before voting.
— Bernalillo County Clerk website
All you need for same day registration is your current and valid photo ID. If you don’t have a photo ID, you can use one of the following documents instead: a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student identification card or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that shows your name and current address.
Starting May 4, 2021, register and vote on the same day at the County Clerk’s Office, 1500 Lomas A NW, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Starting May 15, register and vote on the same day at additional locations, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your same day registration location here: https://www.bernco.gov/clerk/same-day-registration.aspx
“This is the first time voters have this opportunity to register to vote on Election Day.”
— Mandy Vigil, the elections director for the Secretary of State’s Office.
How to Vote Early
Don’t mind voting in person? You can still beat the lines by voting early.
Starting May 4, 2021, vote early at the County Clerk’s Office, 1500 Lomas NW, Suite A, 87104, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Starting May 15, vote early at additional locations, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your nearest early voting location here: https://www.bernco.gov/clerk/early-voting-locations.aspx
How to Vote on Election Day
Do you prefer to vote old school? Do you like to take your time making your choice? Vote on Election Day, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Seventy (70) polling locations are open on election day from 7AM to 7PM. Find your voting day polling location here: https://www.bernco.gov/clerk/election-day-voting-locations.aspx
Learn More About the Candidates
The candidates running for Congressional District 1 are
Melanie Stansbury, New Mexico State Representative (D), Website: https://melaniefornm.com/
Mark Moores, New Mexico State Senator (R), Website: http://markmoores.com/
Aubrey Dunn, Former New Mexico State Land Commissioner (I), Website: https://aubreydunn.com/
Chris Manning, US Army Reserve Veteran (L), Website: https://www.manning4nm.com/
Two write-in candidates have also been certified to run: Laura Olivas and Robert Ornelas.
Get to know more about the candidates beyond what’s on their campaign website.
Watch and/or listen to the New Mexico CD-1 Congressional Candidate Forum hosted by the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative. Melanie Stansbury, Aubrey Dunn, and Chris Manning all participated in the forum. Mark Moores did not participate.
Watch the CD-1 Forum on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/107085217789657/videos/154937826545355
Read the Albuquerque Journal’s Q&A section on the candidates: https://www.abqjournal.com/2385968/meet-the-candidates.html
Watch KOB’s debate with three of the candidates, Stansbury, Moores, and Manning, here: https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/watch-kob-4-hosts-cd-1-special-election-debate/6096839/?cat=513
Watch the televised debate with all four candidates from KOAT here: https://www.koat.com/article/congressional-district-1-debate/36375240#
2021 Special Election Important Dates
Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot: May 18, 2021.
Last Day to Mail in Your Absentee Ballot: May 25, 2021
Last Day to Vote Early: May 29, 2021.
Starting May 4, vote early at the County Clerk’s Office, 1500 Lomas NW, Suite A, 87104, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Starting May 15, vote early at additional locations, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your nearest early voting location here: https://www.bernco.gov/clerk/early-voting-locations.aspx
Last Day for Same Day Registration (SDR): May 29, 2021.
You can register to vote or update your voter registration immediately before voting.
Starting May 4, SDR at the County Clerk’s Office, 1500 Lomas A NW, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Starting May 15, SDR at additional locations, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your same day registration location here: https://www.bernco.gov/clerk/same-day-registration.aspx
Election Day: June 1, 2021, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m