Voters in New Mexico’s third-largest city will decide who leads their community and whether to authorize nearly $18 million in bonds when Rio Rancho holds its municipal election Tuesday, March 3.
The ballot includes races for mayor and three City Council districts, a Municipal Judge seat, and three separate bond questions covering road repairs, public safety and quality-of-life facilities. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Here is everything you need to know before you vote.
What’s on the ballot
Five offices are up for election, all carrying four-year terms:
- Mayor
- District 2 City Councilor
- District 3 City Councilor
- District 5 City Councilor
- Municipal Judge
Voters will also weigh three bond questions:
- $12,435,000 Road Bond
- $4,365,000 Public Safety Bond
- $1,200,000 Quality of Life Facilities Bond
Election day voting
On Election Day, voters may cast a ballot at any of the 14 voting convenience centers listed below. All locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Same-day voter registration is available at every Election Day location. Bring a current photo ID containing your name and photograph.
- Broadmoor Senior Center (Clerk’s Annex), 3241 Broadmoor Blvd.
- Loma Colorado Library, 755 Loma Colorado Blvd.
- Cabezon Community Center, 2307 Cabezon Blvd.
- 2345 Southern Blvd. SE, Suite C2
- The Hub @ Enchanted Hills, 7845 Enchanted Hills Blvd.
- Cielo Azul Elementary, 3804 Shiloh Rd.
- Puesta Del Sol Elementary, 450 Southern Blvd.
- Haynes Community Center, 2006 Grande Blvd. SE
- Esther Bone Library, 950 Pinetree Rd. SE
- Star Heights Recreation Center, 800 Polaris Blvd.
- 4114 Sabana Grande Ave.
- Rio Rancho Middle School, 1600 Loma Colorado Blvd.
- Joe Harris Elementary School, 2100 10th St.
- Colinas Del Norte Elementary School, 1001 Night Sky Ave.
Returning an absentee ballot
Completed absentee ballots must be returned no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, March 3. Ballots may be dropped off at any of the 14 voting convenience centers or at the City Clerk’s Office, 3200 Civic Center Circle NE, Suite 150.
Election results
Unofficial results will be posted at rrnm.gov/rrvotes as soon as possible after polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. The 528 will have results Tuesday night and updates early Wednesday morning.
The unofficial results and canvass report will be submitted for approval to the Sandoval and Bernalillo County canvassing boards by the Rio Rancho City Clerk no later than March 13.
Runoff election
If no candidate for a given office receives more than 50 percent of the total votes cast, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff election scheduled for Tuesday, April 14.
Everything you need to know before you vote
Sample ballots and full election information are available at rrnm.gov/rrvotes. Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of The 528:
Here’s who and what is on the ballot as early voting kicks off — A breakdown of every race and bond question Rio Rancho voters will decide.
Meet Rio Rancho’s mayoral candidates — Profiles of each candidate vying to lead New Mexico’s third-largest city.
District 5 decides: Culbreath touts progress, Ward demands a ‘visionary’ approach for Rio Rancho’s future — The two District 5 council candidates lay out contrasting visions for the city.
$18 million question: Rio Rancho voters face decision on roads, safety and quality of life — An explainer on what passage or failure of the three bond questions would mean for residents.
Should Rio Rancho be a sanctuary city? One mayoral candidate thinks so — Immigration policy emerges as an unexpected flashpoint in the mayoral race.
The campaign cash race update: Who’s raising and spending the most ahead of Rio Rancho election — The latest campaign finance filings show who holds the financial advantage heading into Election Day. The third campaign finance report from candidates was due at noon on March 2 but has not yet been released.
Consistency vs. change: Rio Rancho mayoral candidates square off on city’s future — Candidates debate whether to stay the course on city policy or pursue a new direction.
Rio Rancho mayoral candidates clash on transparency, growth at forum — A candidate forum highlighted sharp differences on development and open government.
Why is a mayoral candidate suing the City of Rio Rancho? — One candidate’s lawsuit against the city has become a campaign issue.
From sanctuary cities to drag queens: Five Rio Rancho mayoral candidates detail their stances — The five mayoral hopefuls answer questions on a range of social and policy topics.
Rio Rancho turnout surge: Early voting eclipses 2022 pace ahead of Tuesday election — A late surge in early ballots cast pushed participation above 2022 levels before Election Day.