Rio Rancho Early Voting Begins Feb. 3; Same-Day Registration Available

Rio Rancho residents can begin casting early ballots at the Broadmoor Senior Center starting Feb. 3, with expanded early voting sites opening Feb. 14 and voting continuing through Feb. 28 ahead of the March 3 municipal election. The city said, "Early voting for Rio Rancho residents will be available from February 3-28, 2026. Election Day voting is March 3, 2026."

Broadmoor Senior Center, 3421 Broadmoor Blvd., will be the primary early voting site beginning Feb. 3. Broadmoor will be open Feb. 3–27, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays Feb. 14, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additional early voting locations will operate Feb. 14–28, Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Those sites include Loma Colorado Main Library at 755 Loma Colorado Blvd., Sabana Grande at 4114 Sabana Grande Ave. SE, The Hub at Enchanted Hills at 7845 Enchanted Hills Blvd., and the Southern Blvd. location at 2345 Southern Blvd., Suite C2.

The City of Rio Rancho emphasized access: "Same-day voter registration will be available at all early voting locations." The public library guidance also notes that same-day registration is available at Early Voting or Election Day voting locations. Voter registration must be completed by Feb. 3 to appear on the regular roll unless a voter uses same-day registration at an early voting or Election Day site.

Absentee voting begins Feb. 3 as well. "Absentee voting begins Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Voters may request an absentee ballot by submitting an application to the City Clerk's Office or the New Mexico Secretary of State no later than Tuesday, February 17, 2026." Residents seeking absentee assistance can contact the City Clerk at (505) 891-5004 or by email at clerk@rrnm.gov.

Election Day on March 3 will use 14 Voting Convenience Centers across Rio Rancho, each open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The March 3 ballot includes the mayoral contest, City Council races for districts 2, 3 and 5, and several bond questions related to roads, public safety and community projects. Six candidates are competing for mayor: Michael Meek, Paul Wymer, Corrine Rios, Zach Darden, Alexandria Piland and Aleitress Owens-Smith. The mayoral field follows Mayor Gregg Hull’s announcement that he will run for governor, leaving an open seat in a city described as "one of the state’s fastest-growing communities with more than 112,000 residents."

Candidate details on the record include Paul Wymer’s support for public safety pay increases and quality-of-life projects, including a new recreation center and a planned multi-generational community center, and Zach Darden, 28, who has focused his platform on environmental protection and youth programs and proposed establishing a dedicated Open Space Department to protect the West Mesa. City Council contests include incumbents Jeremy Lenentine in District 2 and Bob Tyler in District 3 running unopposed, and District 5 incumbent Karissa Culbreath challenged by Calvin Ward.

Practical steps for voters: confirm registration status, request an absentee ballot by Feb. 17 if needed, and plan to use Broadmoor or one of the additional early voting sites before Feb. 28 or a Voting Convenience Center on March 3. For municipal election questions contact City Hall at 3200 Civic Center Circle NE, call 505-891-5000 during business hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or reach the City Clerk at (505) 891-5004 or clerk@rrnm.gov. The early voting window and same-day registration expand access ahead of a closely watched mayoral race and several bond measures that will shape public works and public safety planning in the years ahead.