Election deadlines fast approaching

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election begins Tuesday. That's also the deadline to register to vote online and by mail, Curry County Clerk Annie Hogland reported in a news release last week.

"Same day voter registration is offered at all polling places for early voting and on election day, but we encourage residents to register or update existing voter registrations prior to the (Tuesday) deadline," Hogland wrote.  

Absentee ballots started going out Sept. 21 for active-duty uniformed service members and eligible spouses/dependents who are absent from the state, as well as overseas U.S. citizens with accepted applications on file, Hogland wrote.

Hogland noted her office has issued 109 such absentee ballots.  

"For regular absentee voters, we have 579 accepted applications," she wrote. Those ballots will be mailed Tuesday, she said.

She added, "In order to receive an absentee ballot, a voter must submit an Absentee Ballot Application. Applications may be obtained at the Curry County Clerk's Office, mailed to voters by request by calling (575) 763-5591, or submitted online at nmvote.org."

Hogland said the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 22.

Hogland reported sample ballots are now available.

"Ballots are precinct specific. Sample ballots can be obtained in the Clerk's Office or by visiting NMVOTE.ORG," Hogland wrote. 

Hogland added her office is gearing up for early voting to start on Tuesday in the Curry County Administration Complex Commission Room at 417 Gidding St.

Expanded early voting will begin at North Plains Mall Oct. 19, Hogland wrote.

"As always, should you have any questions, concerns, or ideas of how we can improve our services, please let me know," Hogland wrote.