Republican votes surpassed those of absentee Democrats in Eddy County who voted in person as of early Friday morning for the June 4 primary, according to data from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office.
Early voting ends June 1 as 1,508 Republicans voted early in person or via absentee ballot. Only 370 Democrats voted early or absentee, according to data from the New Mexico Secretary of State. Six Libertarians in Eddy County voted early or absentee, according to the data.
Eddy County Deputy County Clerk Susan Galvan said that as of 9:30 a.m. Friday, 1,099 Carlsbad area residents have voted early or absentee, and 524 Artesia area residents have voted early or absentee.
More: New Mexico primaries: where to vote, candidates in Eddy County
Galvan said about 34,000 Eddy County residents were eligible to vote in the upcoming general election in November. However, people who are members of the Republican, Democratic or Libertarian parties are eligible to vote in the June 4 primary election.
Registered minor parties can change their membership to vote in the primaries
In 2019, New Mexico joined several other states and the District of Columbia in offering same-day registration.
Gov. Michele Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill (SB) 672, the Public Peace, Health, Safety and Welfare Early and Automatic Registration Act.
SB 672 gave eligible New Mexico residents the opportunity to register to vote through Election Day, read the news release from the governor’s office.
Friday morning in Eddy County, 64 people from Eddy County changed their major party affiliation. Fifty-five registered as Republicans, eight as Democrats and one Libertarian, according to New Mexico’s secretary of state.
“You can register to vote or update your existing registration and vote the same day at your County Clerk’s Office,” according to the Secretary of State’s website.
Democrats lead Republicans across New Mexico
While Republicans dominated absentee and early voting in Eddy County, voters registered with the Democratic Party of New Mexico had cast the majority of votes so far, Secretary of State data showed.
More: Eddy County sheriff, New Mexico District 55 candidates talk opioids, gun rights in forum
As of Friday, 31,641 Democrats across the state voted early or absentee, while 20,333 Republicans voted early.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, 170 New Mexico liberals had voted early or absentee.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Republicans lead Democrats and Libertarians in early voting
