Get Involved
Elections are stronger when the public can see how they work. By getting involved with Observe New Mexico Elections (ONME), you help make sure New Mexico’s elections are transparent, accessible, and trustworthy.
Why It Matters
When independent observers are present, voters feel more confident that elections are being run fairly. Observation helps election officials by catching small issues before they become bigger problems. And for observers, it’s a direct way to participate in democracy.
Ways to Join the Effort:
Become an Observer
Observers are trained, nonpartisan New Mexicans who spend a day at the polls or other parts of the process and record what they see.
In 2024, 160 volunteers observed elections in 29 counties, covering over 250 sites. Their work provided a trusted record that voters, officials, and the public could rely on.
In 2025, we are looking for individuals to observe elections in one of the following municipalities: Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Clayton, Gallup, Carlsbad, Farmington, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Silver City, and Taos. You must be registered to vote in the county in which the municipality is located.
As an observer, you’ll:
- Receive training on state election procedures and nonpartisan conduct
- Observe polling places, trainings, or canvass meetings without interfering
- Record what you see using a structured checklist
- Help strengthen trust in elections across the state
Support the Data Team (Now Recruiting Data Clerks)
Behind every observation is a data team that ensures reports are accurate and usable. Data Clerks work at ONME’s Albuquerque Data Center on Election Day, reviewing observer reports, calling observers to clarify details, and helping build the statewide picture of how elections are run
Clerks receive training, a stipend, and play a critical behind-the-scenes role in protecting democracy.
Apply to be a Data Clerk
Spread the Word
Share ONME’s work with your community. The more people understand how election observation protects voters’ rights, the stronger our democracy becomes.
Donate or Partner
Your support makes this work possible. Contributions cover training, materials, and the systems that turn individual reports into a reliable statewide picture.
Join Us
Whether you step into a polling place as an observer, help verify reports as a data clerk, or support ONME in other ways, you are helping protect the integrity of elections in New Mexico. Together, we can ensure every voter’s voice is heard.
Contact Us
The mission of Observe New Mexico Elections is to increase transparency and trust in New Mexico’s elections by training and deploying nonpartisan election observers throughout the state. Observers will report on how election laws and procedures are followed, representing all voters without interfering in the electoral process. Findings from their observations will be compiled to assess the overall quality of elections in New Mexico.