My Practice Notes — PolitíCat NM · politicatnm.org/ballot.html
This is a personal practice sheet, not an official ballot. Nothing was cast or submitted. Bringing your own notes when you vote is generally allowed — verify at sos.nm.gov. Date practiced: ____________
This is a personal practice sheet, not an official ballot. Nothing was cast or submitted. Bringing your own notes when you vote is generally allowed — verify at sos.nm.gov. Date practiced: ____________
PRACTICE BALLOT
General Election · November 3, 2026 · Bernalillo County, New Mexico · Precinct 123
SAMPLE LAYOUT — NOT AN OFFICIAL BALLOT
Instructions: To vote, completely fill in the oval next to your choice. Vote for one in each contest unless told otherwise. If you mark more than the allowed number, that contest is an overvote and will not count. Leaving a contest blank (an undervote) is allowed — the rest of your ballot still counts.
UNITED STATES SENATOR Vote for one
⚠ Overvote — you marked more than one. On a real ballot this contest would not count. Un-mark one to fix it.
🐱 Learn: What does a U.S. Senator do? · Meet the candidates · Sources
One of New Mexico's two seats in the U.S. Senate — six-year term, votes on federal law, treaties, and confirmations. Candidate cards with photos and official links appear here from the certified SOS list. SOS candidate portal ↗
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE — DISTRICT 1 Vote for one
⚠ Overvote — you marked more than one. On a real ballot this contest would not count. Un-mark one to fix it.
🐱 Learn: What does a U.S. Representative do? · Meet the candidates · Sources
Your seat in the U.S. House — two-year term. District 1 covers most of Albuquerque; whether you're in it depends on your address. Find your districts by address ↗ · SOS candidate portal ↗
GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Vote for one team
⚠ Overvote — you marked more than one. On a real ballot this contest would not count. Un-mark one to fix it.
🐱 Learn: What does the Governor do? · Meet the teams · Sources
Heads the state's executive branch: signs or vetoes bills, proposes the budget, appoints cabinet secretaries and many judges' interim seats. In New Mexico, the Governor and Lt. Governor are elected as one ticket. SOS candidate portal ↗
BERNALILLO COUNTY ASSESSOR Vote for one
⚠ Overvote — you marked more than one. On a real ballot this contest would not count. Un-mark one to fix it.
🐱 Learn: What does the Assessor do? · Sources
Values every property in the county for tax purposes. The Assessor doesn't set your tax rate — rates are certified by the state DFA with the counties. DFA rate certificates ↗ · example: BernCo Assessor ↗
JUDICIAL RETENTION Shall Judge [NAME PENDING] of the Court of Appeals be retained in office?
⚠ Overvote — mark only YES or NO.
🐱 Learn: What is judicial retention? · Sources
Retention isn't judge vs. judge — it's a yes/no on keeping a sitting judge. In New Mexico a judge needs 57% YES to stay (that's in the state constitution). The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission publishes evaluations. Read the JPEC evaluations ↗
BOND QUESTION Sample: General obligation bond for library facilities
⚠ Overvote — mark only FOR or AGAINST.
🐱 Learn: What happens if this passes? What stays the same? · Sources
If it passes: the state may borrow the stated amount for the stated purpose, repaid through existing property-tax levies. What stays the same: your tax rate doesn't automatically change — bonds are structured within current levies. Who carries it out: the agencies named in the bond act. No score, no recommendation — just what the record says. SOS ballot information ↗
YOUR PRACTICE REVIEW No scores. No judgments. Just what's marked, blank, or needs a fix.