Turnout Rises in New Mexico Gubernatorial Races

Over 712,000 New Mexicans voted in 2022, up from more than 512,000 in 2014, according to state data.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections

Turnout Rises in New Mexico Gubernatorial Races

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Voter turnout in New Mexico's gubernatorial elections increased between 2014 and 2022, with over 712,000 residents casting ballots in 2022 compared with over 512,000 in 2014. The figures are drawn from the Secretary of State's website.

Why it matters

The growth in turnout shapes how the state's electorate engages in statewide races and ballot measures ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm election. Midterm turnout in New Mexico typically runs around 50%, compared with about 70% in presidential cycles.

Official Secretary of State figures show more than 712,000 New Mexicans voted in 2022, compared with more than 512,000 in 2014. Turnout rates for those specific races are not reported in the available figures.

The players

New Mexico Secretary of State

The state office that publishes official election results and turnout figures for New Mexico's statewide contests.

The details

Voters in the upcoming cycle will decide a state constitutional amendment on whether lawmakers should be paid, along with bond measures to fund construction of a University of New Mexico medical school. The Secretary of State's website shows the turnout figures for the gubernatorial contests.

2014: Gubernatorial election with more than 512,000 voters.
2022: Gubernatorial election with more than 712,000 voters.
November 3, 2026: Midterm election featuring the governor's race and ballot measures.

Season Trajectory

Turnout in New Mexico's gubernatorial contests rose from over 512,000 voters in 2014 to over 712,000 in 2022, a trend that sits against the state's typical pattern of roughly 50% midterm turnout and 70% presidential-cycle turnout. The November 2026 midterm will test whether that higher engagement carries into a non-presidential year.

Voters who want to influence the state constitutional amendment on lawmaker pay and the medical school bond measures will need to cast ballots in the November 3, 2026 election. Turnout in midterm years in New Mexico has historically run around 50%, so participation decisions in this cycle will matter.

The takeaway

Higher gubernatorial turnout between 2014 and 2022 suggests New Mexico voters are increasingly engaged in statewide races, and the 2026 midterm will show whether that engagement holds beyond presidential years.

What happens next

The November 3, 2026 midterm election will decide the governor's race and the ballot measures on lawmaker pay and the University of New Mexico medical school bonds.