Voting Convenience Centers

Why It Works

  • Proximity to location, travel, and wait times weighed against other essential tasks, i.e. work, errands, appointments
  • Reducing opportunity costs occurs when voting can fit into regular activity route
  • The U.S. Census Bureau reports the number one reason for not voting is "No time/too busy"
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Benefits of Voting Convenience Centers

When using traditional precinct assigned polling locations, each voter must vote at the polling place assigned to the precinct in which the voter is registered. Failing to do this, the voter must vote on a provisional ballot. Using a Voting Convenience Center (VCC), voters do not have the burden of finding their assigned polling place at any one of the voting locations serving all 66 precincts; instead the voter has the option to vote close to home, school or work. There is no "wrong" location at which to vote.

Election Day VCCs reduce the scale and complexity of administering Election Day to more manageable levels. There is also a reduction in response time to VCCs by Bureau of Elections staff and Voting Machine Tech for trouble shooting.

Choosing a VCC Site

  • Each location must be ADA compliant
  • Each location must have a technological system that can interface with Valencia County’s System and be secure
  • Location must be familiar to voters
  • Locations proximity must be accessible to voters within their communities as well as their daily commute

Voting at a VCC

  • Early voting begins on the third Saturday before the election at alternate sites. Call our office for locations.
  • Early voting ends the Saturday before the election.
  • You may also vote early in-person. Go to your county clerk’s office beginning the 28th day before the election and vote. (Section 1-6-5, NMSA 1978).

VCC History

The vote center model was first implemented in 2003. Early success of the VCC model led other jurisdictions to consider its advantages over the traditional model. There are at least seven states that have piloted a VCC concept. In New Mexico, all 33 counties have moved to a full VCC model or similar concept. 

Your County Clerk and the Bureau of Elections is always available if you have any questions!