Story perspectives

New Mexico Semi-Open Primary Draws 33K Independents, Democrats Lead

6/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

New Mexico held its semi-open primary on June 2, 2026, enabled by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s April 2025 law that lets unaffiliated voters request either party’s ballot.
Independent voters cast about 33,500 votes, roughly three-quarters for Democrats, while total ballots reached 307,342 of 1,406,352 eligible voters by 5 p.m.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman each raised roughly $15 million, while the three Republican contenders together raised about $4 million.

History

Historical Context

In 1972, reforms that introduced a semi-open primary in New Hampshire allowed unaffiliated voters to choose either party’s ballot, a model later described by the National Conference of State Legislatures. The approach spread to other states, and New Mexico now runs a semi-open primary where independents cast a sizable share of the ballots, echoing the early boost in independent turnout.

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Story summary

New Mexico held its semi-open primary on June 2, 2026, enabled by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s April 2025 law that lets unaffiliated voters request either party’s ballot.
Independent voters cast about 33,500 votes, roughly three-quarters for Democrats, while total ballots reached 307,342 of 1,406,352 eligible voters by 5 p.m.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman each raised roughly $15 million, while the three Republican contenders together raised about $4 million.

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