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The numbers are alarming.

In 2024, only 17% of registered voters in New Mexico cast their ballots in the state’s primary elections. More than 300,000 registered New Mexican voters—roughly a quarter of the state’s registered voting population—are currently blocked outright from participating in primaries.

Those are not a pair of percentages that indicate significant levels of voter participation in New Mexico.  And they certainly do not point to a democracy that is representative of the residents of our state. 

Opening up primary elections by allowing voters registered as independent or unaffiliated—about 25% of New Mexico’s voting populous—to participate in primaries is one meaningful measure the state should take to improve its voter participation rates and, in turn, its democracy.

More specifically, New Mexico should adopt semi-open primaries. In closed primaries, only folks registered with one of the two major parties in the state, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, can vote in primaries. Semi-open primary elections allow voters registered as independent, minor party voters, or those without a party altogether, to vote in primaries by selecting a ballot from one of the two major parties.

New Mexico certainly would not be alone in partially opening up its primary elections. In fact, 38 states have some form of open primary elections, meaning only 12 states—including New Mexico—currently run totally closed primaries.  

New Mexico should add its name to the long list of other states that let all registered voters participate in consequential elections. 

Studies have shown the democratic benefits of open primaries are numerous. Fundamentally, closed elections restrict large portions of eligible voting populations from taking part in taxpayer-funded elections they pay for.

This disenfranchisement means that the vast majority of general elections are left unrepresentative. Politicians become comfortable pandering directly to the top 3% of major party voters, instead of truly representing all segments of their constituents.

Downstream from that disenfranchisement and political stagnation is voter apathy. Because partisan activists and special interest groups are given disproportionate electoral power, folks not associated with major parties or who classify themselves independent have little motivation to make their voices heard in closed primary systems.

New Mexico has seen these effects. The state has the highest number of uncompetitive districts in the U.S, meaning the winners of the general election are decided in the primaries, where over 300,000 people can’t vote without added barriers.

Lack of electoral competition and low voter participation all make meaningful change difficult in New Mexico. Minimal voter participation means many of the people most affected by various issues aren’t making their voices heard at the ballot box.

Thankfully, there is a national movement to open up primary elections—a movement that extends into the Land of Enchantment. You can join the movement for open primaries and, in turn, a better democracy in New Mexico by calling your elected officials and urging them to support legislation for semi-open primaries during the 2025 legislative session. You can also champion democracy in your communities by sharing the benefits of semi-open primary elections with your friends, acquaintances, colleagues, neighbors, and loved ones. Everyone is better off when more people are empowered to vote.

You can learn more about this issue and other ways to participate in opening up primary elections in New Mexico at NMVotersFirst.org.

Sen. Carrie Hamblen represents District 38 and Doña Ana County in the New Mexico Senate.