Absentee ballot push begins for New Mexico's June 2 primary

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A trickle of primary voters filed through a makeshift polling site inside a cavernous parking garage Tuesday, as New Mexico election officials took impromptu precautions against the transmission of COVID-19 on the first day of early voting. Masks, gloves and bottles of disinfectant were on hand as voting began at county clerks' offices in a primary that concludes on June 2. At the same time, election officials are promoting mail-in voting by absentee ballot as the safest option. The state Supreme Court last month rejected a proposal to suspend most in-person voting. Open races are underway in the 3rd Congressional District and to fill a Senate seat.