Bernalillo voters weigh local races as national House fight tightens
Polls in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho are open until 7 p.m. Tuesday as New Mexicans decide state leadership and federal seats in a closely watched midterm.
By Connor Murphy ·
Voters in Bernalillo County are casting ballots in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho on Election Day, with polls open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. Local time. Residents are deciding on the state's U.S. Senate seat, where incumbent Ben Ray Luján is running for re-election, as well as an open gubernatorial race with no incumbent on the ballot. These statewide contests are part of a broader set of New Mexico elections that include every U.S. House seat in the state, state legislative offices, and various local measures.
The day's local ballot also features specific questions for New Mexico residents. Ballotpedia lists three bond questions on the ballot, including one to authorize $30 million in general obligation bonds for senior citizen facility improvements and another for up to $230 million for higher education and tribal school capital projects. Voters are also considering four constitutional amendments, such as one that would eliminate the governor's pocket veto and another that would set state legislator salaries equal to the state's median household income. These items will be decided alongside the partisan races for federal and state office.
Nationally, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs in this midterm election. Republicans currently hold 218 seats and Democrats hold 214, with one independent and some vacancies. This narrow margin means Democrats need to gain a net three districts to secure a majority, while Republicans can lose no more than two seats to maintain control. The election is being viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term, with many voters expressing frustration over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran.
Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts in the House race, comprising 25 seats held by Democrats and 21 held by Republicans. The complexity of the national map is heightened by new congressional maps in seven states: California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Ohio. These new districts are a result of mid-decade redistricting efforts. The Associated Press highlights that 21 Democratic-held districts voted for Trump in 2024, while nine Republican-held districts voted for Kamala Harris, suggesting a volatile political landscape in these competitive areas.
In the Senate, 35 of 100 seats are on the ballot, including 33 regular elections and two special elections for the remainder of the terms held by Marco Rubio and JD Vance. Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the chamber. The Associated Press points to several key matchups, including the race in Georgia between Sen. Jon Ossoff and Rep. Mike Collins, and the contest in Ohio between former Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. Jon Husted.
More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of participation underscores the intensity of the campaign. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that everything depends on turnout, asserting that if their voters turn out, they will win. Conversely, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said the American people are angry and want change. The Associated Press notes that Republicans were bracing to lose the House while fighting to hold the Senate, while Democrats remained cautiously optimistic.
Election administration has been a focus in the days leading up to the vote. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan intended to prevent noncitizen voting, a move critics argued risked disenfranchising eligible voters. Additionally, a judge ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots from people on lists of suspected noncitizens. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time, reflecting the logistical challenges of a high-turnout election.
The Associated Press analysis of AdImpact data indicates that the 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk, though Democrats outraised their opponents at the candidate level. Notably, 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. The Associated Press also notes that Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers, and that his administration has filed lawsuits in Alaska and California regarding certification of results.
For voters in Bernalillo County, the implications of these national trends are felt locally. The Associated Press states that if Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker if his party takes the House, and he has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg, while potentially complicating the path for Vice President JD Vance.
Voters in New Mexico can find their polling place at vote.gov or through their state election office. Anyone in line when polls close at 7 p.m. Is entitled to vote. ID rules vary by state, so residents are advised to check their specific requirements before heading to the polls. The Associated Press describes the mood as one of struggle with high prices and anger over the war with Iran, with about 7 in 10 U.S. Adults saying the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most of those polled blame the president for the high cost of living.
