Logan Reid
If you are hospitalised in New Mexico and want to vote, you must first be registered to vote. You can register to vote in New Mexico without a state-issued ID, and without a permanent home address. If you are registering for the first time by mail, you must include a copy of an acceptable ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or other government document that shows your name and current address. If you are unable to go to the polls due to hospitalisation, you may request in writing that a provisional paper ballot be made available to you. This request must be signed by you and a healthcare provider. You may also be able to fill out an emergency ballot application or request your ballot electronically.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can vote from the hospital | Eligible residents of the hospital facility |
| Who is an eligible resident | Voters who live in the city or town where the hospital is located |
| What is required | Application and ballot |
| Who can provide the application and ballot | Local election officials send teams of election judges (poll workers) to hospitals during the 35 days before the election |
| Who can help with the process | Friends, family, staff, case management, social work, and hospital-based volunteers |
| How to get the ballot to the election office | By mail, fax, or in person |
| What if I live in a different town | Apply for an absentee ballot or sign up for agent delivery |
| What is agent delivery | Someone picks up and delivers a ballot to you |
| Who can be an agent | Anyone who is at least 18 years old, has a pre-existing relationship with you, and is not a candidate |
| What if I don't want to vote in person | No excuse is required to vote with an absentee ballot |
| How to request an absentee ballot | Visit NMVote.org or contact your local County Clerk's Office |
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What You'll Learn
Ask the patient if they want to vote
It is important to ask the patient if they want to vote. If they are interested in voting while in hospital, respect their decision. However, if they are not interested, it is important to respect their refusal, as their health may be their main priority.
If the patient is interested in voting, the next step is to find out if they are eligible. The patient is eligible to vote in the hospital if the hospital is located in the same city or town where they live. If the patient lives in a different town, they will need to apply for an absentee ballot.
If the patient is eligible to vote in the hospital, the next step is to find out if they need assistance. If the patient needs help, it is important to review the specific rules for the state, as some states have restrictions on who can help and how. For example, some states allow someone to assist the patient, while others require the patient to vote independently. It is also important to consider what kind of assistance the patient will need. This may include providing printed materials, such as ballot applications, or transportation to and from the election office.
If the patient is not eligible to vote in the hospital, they may still be able to vote by absentee ballot. This will involve helping the patient to apply for an absentee ballot and ensuring that they receive it. It may also involve providing transportation to and from the election office or helping the patient to fax their application to the election office.
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Print ballot applications and bring them to the hospital
If you are in a hospital in New Mexico and would like to vote, you can request that a friend, family member, or staff member print ballot applications and bring them to the hospital. This way, you can fill out the necessary forms to receive your ballot and cast your vote. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
Print Ballot Applications:
Ask a friend, family member, or hospital staff member to print the ballot applications for you. They can find these applications on the New Mexico Voter Information Portal, NMVote.org. The website provides all the necessary information for voting in New Mexico, including registering to vote, updating registration, and requesting absentee ballots.
Bring Applications to the Hospital:
Once the applications are printed, coordinate with your designated helper to bring them to the hospital. They can deliver the printed applications to you or directly to the relevant hospital staff, depending on your situation and preferences. It is important to ensure that you have the necessary forms to exercise your right to vote.
Complete the Applications:
After receiving the printed ballot applications, carefully fill out the required information. If needed, ask for assistance from your friend, family member, or hospital staff. They can help you ensure that the applications are accurately and completely filled out.
Return the Completed Applications:
Work with your helper to return the completed applications to the appropriate election office. They can either deliver the applications by hand or fax them, depending on what is allowed in your state. Make sure to meet any deadlines for submitting the applications so that you can receive your ballot on time.
Remember, it is your right to vote, and there are people who can help ensure that you are able to exercise this right, even while in the hospital. Don't hesitate to reach out and take the necessary steps to make your vote count!
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Identify someone to pick up and deliver the ballot
If you are in hospital and unable to get to a polling station, you may be able to have someone pick up and deliver a ballot to you. This is called 'agent delivery'. To qualify for agent delivery, you must be hospitalized or unable to get to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or a disability. Your agent must be at least 18 years old, have a pre-existing relationship with you, and cannot be a candidate.
Ask friends or family members if they are able to pick up and deliver the ballot to the election office. If this is not possible, a staff member may be able to help fax the application to the election office. If you live in a state where the election office sends an employee to help the patient vote, make sure they know how to find the floor or bed where the patient is located.
If you are stuck on your floor during a long shift, you could also ask case management, social work, or hospital-based volunteers for help. Identify a few other healthcare providers who are passionate about patient advocacy and this project, and set up a Patient Voting chapter to give you the support you need.
Remember to check state-specific information, as some states have restrictions on who can help with which steps.
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Request assistance from hospital staff
If you are in a hospital in New Mexico and need assistance with voting, there are several options available to you. Here are some steps you can take to request assistance from hospital staff:
Identify the Relevant Hospital Staff
Determine which hospital staff members can provide assistance with voting. This may include case management, social work, hospital-based volunteers, or your medical team. These individuals are likely to be knowledgeable about the voting process and may have helped other patients in similar situations. They can guide you through the process and ensure you have the necessary information and resources.
Once you have identified the relevant hospital staff, don't hesitate to reach out and ask for help. They may be able to provide printed materials, such as ballot applications, or assist with transportation by delivering your ballot to the election office. They can also help you understand any state-specific restrictions on who can assist with the voting process.
Explore Options for Additional Support
In some states, the election office sends an employee to help hospitalized patients vote. Find out if this is the case in your state and whether the election office employee will need assistance locating your floor or bed. Additionally, consider identifying other healthcare providers in the hospital who are passionate about patient advocacy and voting rights. Together, you can form a Patient Voting chapter to advocate for and support patients interested in voting.
Respect the Patient's Decision
While offering assistance, it is important to respect the patient's decision regarding voting. Some patients may choose to focus solely on their health and recovery. It is crucial to honor their wishes and refrain from pressuring them to engage in the voting process if they are not interested.
Familiarize Yourself with State-Specific Requirements
Each state may have unique requirements and restrictions for voting from the hospital. For example, in some states, you must live in the same city or town as the hospital to receive a ballot from election judges. In other cases, you may need to apply for an absentee ballot. Understanding these requirements will help you provide accurate guidance and support to patients interested in voting during their hospital stay.
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Check state-specific information
If you are in hospital in New Mexico, you can still vote. New Mexico has designed absentee ballots so that voters can use their screen reader technology to mark their ballot. If you are in hospital, you can request an absentee ballot online, or fill out an application and return it to your local County Clerk's Office. You can also drop off your ballot at your County Clerk's Office or at any polling location in your county.
If you are in hospital, you may be eligible to have someone pick up and deliver a ballot to you. This is called 'agent delivery'. To qualify for agent delivery, you must be hospitalized or unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons or a disability. Your agent must be at least 18 years old, have a pre-existing relationship with you, and cannot be a candidate.
If you are a first-time voter in New Mexico, you must submit a copy of a current and valid photo identification or another form of identification, such as a utility bill or bank statement, with your mailed-in registration. If you do not submit this with your registration, you will need to present one of these forms of identification when voting in person or absentee.
If you are currently incarcerated in New Mexico for a felony offense, you cannot vote while incarcerated. However, once you are no longer confined to a jail, prison, or other correctional facility, you can register and vote in New Mexico elections.
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Frequently asked questions
You can register to vote in New Mexico by filling out a paper application and mailing it to your County Clerk's Office. You can also register online if you have a New Mexico driver's license or state ID.
You can still register to vote in New Mexico. You just need to describe where you usually stay, such as a street corner, park, or shelter. You must also provide a mailing address where you can receive election mail.
If you're in hospital and unable to vote in person, you can request a provisional paper ballot. You'll need to make the request in writing and have it signed by a healthcare provider. Alternatively, you can ask a friend or family member to pick up your ballot from the polling place or election office.
In New Mexico, you only lose your right to vote if you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. If you are in hospital but not incarcerated, you should still be able to vote.
