Early voting sets new record in New Mexico

New Mexico voters have cast more ballots before election day than ever before.

The New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office said Monday more than 534,000 residents voted at early voting centers or by absentee ballot.

The numbers were reported by county clerks from across the state after early voting ended Saturday.

The previous record for early voting in New Mexico was set in the 2008 general election when nearly 520,000 ballots were cast before election day.

Registered Democrats accounted for 49 percent of early votes and Republicans for 36 percent. Absentee ballots continue to be counted ahead the submission deadline on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The record for overall turnout in New Mexico was set in 2008 with 833,365 votes cast.

In Dona Ana County, 40, 455 registered voters cast early ballots in person, County Clerk Lynn Ellins said, adding the figure amounted to 35.5% of the county’s 113,818 registered voters.

Another 5,083 filed an absentee ballot.

Ellins said he cannot confirm if these figures amount to a new record because his office does not keep records of that type. He did say that in his ten years in office, this is the highest turnout he has seen.