There are no early surprises in the first week of early voting for the 2026 election. About 30,000 votes were cast statewide through Monday, according to the Secretary of State. Democrats dominate the early turnout with 59% of the total, while Republicans sit at 27% and independents account for 14%.

The very early Dem vote is traditionally quite heavier than the GOP whose share should increase as we move closer to Nov. 3.   

If total turnout in the governor’s race reaches around 700,000—matching 2018 and 2022 levels—then over 4% of the total vote is already cast. Early voting is currently limited to absentee ballots and in-person voting at county clerk offices. That expands on October 17, when early voting stations open across the state through October 31.

The latest trend in state party registration shows Democrats slipping below 40%, holding 576,918 registered voters (39.5%). The GOP accounts for 30.5% (445,215), while independents have reached 28.1% (409,219) and minor parties make up 1.9% (27,363).

At this current trajectory, registered independents will soon surpass Republicans. As demonstrated during the recent semi-open primary—when independent voters were first allowed to participate in party primaries—a majority chose Democratic ballots.

That undercuts the GOP argument that Democratic influence is eroding as independent strength grows. These are not the traditional swing voters of past generations who leaned conservative; in a predominantly blue state, today's independents are voting blue.

ENVIROS VS. HEINRICH

Sen. Heinrich

Sen. Martin Heinrich has joined with Republicans to craft a new energy bill that aims to speed up the development of energy projects—especially wind and solar—only to draw fire from an array of environmental groups who normally support Heinrich but now accuse him of "betraying" his long-held environmental practices.

200 environmental groups—usually hardcore supporters of Heinrich—have come out against his latest stab at bipartisan lawmaking:

More than 200 conservation organizations sent a letter today urging Congress to oppose the “Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026,” introduced by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Mike Lee (R-Utah). The bill includes sweeping attacks on the Endangered Species Act that would gut protections for nearly every endangered species across the country.

Heinrich said the bill, expected to be voted on in the Senate after the election, “will mean more energy on the grid, more good-paying jobs, and lower electricity costs for families and businesses." 

Perhaps Heinrich is eyeing his possible assumption of the chairmanship of the powerful Senate Energy Committee next year. It would likely happen if the Democrats take back control of the Senate in November. Heinrich is the ranking Democrat on the committee. Would bipartisanship help him guide that panel, or would he be consumed by opposition from his base supporters?

In March, Heinrich drew guffaws and criticism for bolting from his party and voting to support the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin as Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. Mullin has since run into a buzzsaw of criticism for ICE going overboard and other actions.

Heinrich has a history of quirkiness when it comes to bipartisanship. In 2014, he spent a week on a deserted island with then-Arizona Senator Jeff Flake for a reality TV show. Now, enviros who have heartily supported him are voting to send Heinrich back to the island. 

EYE CATCHING

This one out of Massachusetts is an eye-catcher: 

Ten years after Massachusetts voters legalized recreational marijuana, they're being asked to reverse course. Massachusetts voters approved recreational marijuana in 2016. . .In September the state reported that recreational marijuana businesses had surpassed $10 billion in sales. If approved, the measure would take effect January 1, 2028. Massachusetts would become the first state to repeal a voter-approved recreational marijuana market. . .Supporters point to concerns about youth access, impaired driving, mental health, and the commercialization of cannabis. They argue that the regulated market has brought consequences voters didn't fully anticipate in 2016. Opponents warn that eliminating recreational sales could push consumers toward illicit markets, eliminate tax revenue, and threaten businesses and jobs. 

New Mexico legalized cannabis in 2021 and the industry immediately boomed. Now its been going through a long bust as supply outweighed demand. 

 MORE CONNY AMENDMENT 4 

With the top of the ticket races looking less competitive, the action shifts down ballot and to that proposal to provide New Mexico legislators a salary. Constitutional Amendment #4 continues to draw reader interest with Alan Schwartz writing:

It is really disappointing to me how our state government continuously exploits the economic naivety of the general population. Case in point, Constitutional Amendment 4. Each individual legislator, 112 in all, would receive a "salary" equivalent to the New Mexico median household income. It should go without saying that the typical "household" income more often than not is based on at least two wage earners if not one working two jobs. The "pro" faction argues "It ties legislator pay to what the rest of us make". If that were true than wouldn't a more accurate comparison be to individuals? Like the 65% of single tax filers who reported income of $45,000 or less. This is a textbook case where the mode tells the story and the mean or median is a distractor. If a true "average" individual was making $65,000 a year it would require an hourly wage of over $30 dollars. And that is for a full year, not the 30/60 the part time Legislature has. 

A "concerned taxpayer" writes of Amendment 4:

Will legislators get to continue getting paid a public salary if they are a teacher? Continue to collect a public pension if they are a retired public employee and a legislator, as well as collect a new public salary and daily $247 per deim while in session? And don't forget forget the extremely generous retirement pension. There is a law that a "regular" public pension paid employee can't double dip and work full time at the legislature without stopping their pension, and if you are a state employee they can't serve in the House or Senate. So how much really will these legislator cost in public taxes? We are asking to put the cart before the horse when we don't address these questions through reform measures. How can any of these legislators complain about too much PAC money in politics when this is the vehicle they are using to convince the public we should pay them? Asking for a friend. 

To answer the question for you and "a friend," there is no prohibition in the amendment to prevent a public employee such as a school teacher from getting the full-time legislative salary that, if approved, would be about $67,000.

THE BOTTOM LINES 

The Haaland campaign comes with a 30 second Spanish language TV ad titled Juntos (Together).  In the Oct.1-9 Journal poll the Dem Guv nominee has the support of roughly 64 percent of non-Anglo voters--including Hispanics and Native Americans compared to 26 percent for Republican nominee Gregg Hull. . .

Another Haaland TV spot--Water--touts the success of the former Secretary of Interior in bringing funding to the state for water infrastructure projects and features former State Engineer Mike Hamman. . .

Sen.Ben Ray Lujan has only token opposition with Republican candidate Larry Marker but he is making the re-election rounds. Here's a TV interview where you can size up how he's doing and here's Marker's website. 

This is the Home of New Mexico politics.