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Sandoval County approves polling-site amendments and accepts $1.1M for 2026 primary
Summary
The board amended polling sites for the 2026 primary (adding Cochiti Pueblo and four Rancho locations), increasing the county’s Election Day sites to 42, and approved a $1.1 million MOU with the New Mexico Secretary of State to fund the primary election; county staff said the increase will help meet write-in and semi-open primary staffing needs.
Deputy Director Dominguez told the board on March 11 that the county has amended its polling-site list for the 2026 primary to add Cochiti Pueblo and four locations in the city of Rancho, bringing the county total to 15 polling locations and 42 Election Day sites.
Dominguez also presented a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office that provides approximately $1,100,000 for the 2026 primary — roughly a $400,000 increase over prior cycles, according to staff. Dominguez said county election officials expect additional write-in activity because of a change to New Mexico’s primary rules and noted preparations for hand-tally boards to process write-in ballots at the warehouse if needed.
Commissioners moved and unanimously approved the polling-site amendments and the MOU during the meeting. The board also adopted a separate resolution certifying the 2026 Sandoval County Road inventory (resolution 3-11-26.11B); a staff presenter confirmed the county "stayed flat" on road miles compared with the prior inventory.
Dominguez summarized operational steps staff will use to handle potential write-in ballots, including separating write-in ballots at tabulators and convening an election board at the warehouse for hand tallying.
