Since Election Night is all about the numbers and we're preparing to to bring them to you on KANW 89.1 FM and KANW.COM tonight, let's check the latest (and interesting) voter stats from the office of Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

As of May 29 there were a total of 1,289,242 registered voters. About 588,000 were Democrats or 45.6 percent; 393,000 were Republicans or 30.5 percent. 285,000 were independents or 22.8 percent; Libertarians totaled 11,420 or 0.9 percent. Other parties had 12,739 or 1.0 percent of the state's voters. Complete voter registration statistics are here.

Obviously the state is blue but what has changed is the ideological composition of Democratic voters, especially in the three largest counties--Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Dona Ana. Democratic voters there have become more reluctant to cross over and vote for Republicans, increasing the Dems political strength as we saw in their historic sweep in 2018.

The SOS reports history has already been made for Primary 2020 with a record number of absentee ballots cast as voters take heed to avoid in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic. She reported on election eve that a record-setting 201,409 had been sent in so far. 59,703 early in-person votes have been cast for a total of 261,112 early votes.

The SOS and county clerks reminded voters in recent days that it was too late to mail in their absentees and they should drop them off at any polling location today to make sure they are counted. Only ballots that are received by 7 p.m. tonight will be legal. Some counties were late in getting the historic wave of absentee ballot requests sent out in time to have voters return them by mail.

Of the 261,000 early and absentee votes cast Democrats make up 63 percent of the total. Republicans have cast about 95,000 for 36 percent. Libertarians cast 848 early votes or 0.9 percent. Complete absentee and early votes cast by party and county are here.

No independents--only voters of those three major parties--are allowed to vote in today's primaries.

It does appear turnout will be solid. In 2016 when Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders fought for the Dem presidential nomination about 216,000 Dems voted. We could get in that vicinity tonight. In '16 about 105,000 R's voted. It appears their 2020 primary turnout will pass that mark tonight.

Consultants say voting was boosted by competitive congressional races in the north and south and a handful of state senate contests. But there was no competitive presidential race so the lion's share of the turnout boost likely came because of a Supreme Court ruling. In response to the pandemic the court ordered the SOS to send an absentee ballot application to every registered voter of the three major parties.

SUGGESTION BOX

Political pros say that if heavy mail elections are the way of the future then it's clear that voters have too much time to request an absentee ballot. They suggest moving the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot to several weeks before the election--not just several days as the law now reads. They say an earlier deadline would eliminate the problem we had this election of absentees not getting to the clerks in time to be counted. Another suggestion: How about letting votes send their ballots back by email not just US snail mail?

Perhaps MLG will put something in that regard on her call for the June 18 special legislative session. Depending on the course of the virus, the November election could also be a heavy mail affair.

ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE

Radio Days of Yore

At first we thought this would be the first time we missed calling a primary election since we started our long-running series on KANW-FM 89.1 in 1988. But it appears our streak will hold, thanks to the wonders of Zoom and the assistance of General Manager Michael Brasher and our able producer Kevin Otero.

It won't be the same as being at the traditional roundtable with politicos jammed before multiple microphones. We'll miss that but the times call for caution, if not cancellation. So we'll tangle with technology and take to the airwaves and (KANW.COM) at 6:45 p.m. via Zoom.

Republican political expert Bob Cornelius and his Democratic counterpart Sisto Abeyta will lead our analytic team. Heck, don't be surprised if we get a few of the old stand bys to join in, like former State Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones and Mayor Tim Keller. And maybe a few more. Election Night is always full of surprises.

Election Night coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. and we again look forward to having you with us for this latest dance of democracy.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020