The Doña Ana County Clerk's Office is warning voters that write-in votes will count in just one race on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Only County Commission District 3 has a qualified write-in candidate, according to an Oct. 28 announcement from the Clerk's Office, first reported by Organ Mountain News. No other race in the county will include a write-in line.

A three-way District 3 race

The District 3 seat is the only contest where the write-in option applies. Searchlight New Mexico reported that the race is a three-way competition between Commissioner Susie Kimble, an independent; Democratic write-in candidate and former county manager Julia Brown; and Democratic State Rep. Willie Madrid. The Clerk's Oct. 28 announcement did not name the qualified write-in candidate.

According to the Las Cruces Bulletin, only County Commission Districts 1 and 3 are on the ballot this year. Districts 2, 4 and 5 are not up for election.

Why the Clerk's Office spoke up

The announcement followed social media posts encouraging voters to write in candidates for other races. Under New Mexico law, those social media campaigns do not make the promoted individuals qualified candidates, and votes for unqualified write-in candidates will not be counted.

Section 1-8-66 of the New Mexico Election Code requires prospective write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent by a statutory deadline and be determined qualified by the appropriate filing officer. State law also bars anyone who ran or filed a declaration of candidacy in the preceding primary election from becoming a write-in candidate in the general election.

The Clerk's Office urged voters to rely on official election information and verify claims before sharing them online, saying incorrect posts can create confusion even when circulated with good intentions. Voters can view a personalized sample ballot at NMVote.gov to see whether a write-in line appears in any of their races.

Voting deadlines

Early voting ends Saturday, Oct. 31, at all Doña Ana County locations. The Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd. in Las Cruces, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day. Additional expanded early voting locations, open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., will also close for early voting Oct. 31. Same-day voter registration is available at early voting sites and on Election Day.

Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 42 voting convenience centers across the county. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day and can be returned to an authorized secured ballot container, a voting location or the Clerk's Office.

Voters with questions can call the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office at 575-647-7428 or visit DACElections.com.