NM voter registration up 5% since 2008 election

Associated Press

BARRY MASSEY, Associated Press

Updated: Oct 22, 2012 5:51 PM

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New voter registration figures show the number of New Mexicans eligible to vote has increased about 5 percent since the last presidential election and independent voters grew the fastest.

The secretary of state's office reported Monday that nearly 1.3 million people are registered to vote in the Nov. 6 general election.

The numbers of voters who are unaffiliated with a political party — so-called independents — increased by 22 percent since Oct. 31, 2008.

Republican registration rose 5 percent and registration by Democrats remained nearly unchanged.

Democrats account for 48 percent of registered voters — down from 50 percent before the 2008 general election.

Nearly a third of voters are Republicans — unchanged from 2008.

Independents account for 18 percent of voters, up from 15 percent in 2008.

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