New Mexico Electoral College Guide
New Mexico casts 5 electoral votes in presidential elections. New Mexico's 5 EV were the closest presidential race in American history in 2000 (Gore +366 votes). Now lean-D but showing rightward movement.
Role in the Electoral College
New Mexico's 5 EV were the closest presidential race in American history in 2000 (Gore +366 votes). Now lean-D but showing rightward movement.
Electoral Vote History
The 2000 race was decided by 366 votes (closest presidential state ever). Obama expanded margins; Republicans see opportunity as Hispanic voters drift right.
Electoral College Basics
The United States uses an Electoral College system to elect the president. Each state receives electoral votes equal to its total congressional representation: number of House seats + 2 (senators). New Mexico has 3 House seats + 2 senators = 5 electoral votes.
A candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win the presidency. New Mexico’s 5 electoral votes represent 0.9% of the total needed.
Most states use a winner-take-all system — the popular vote winner receives all electoral votes. The exception is Maine and Nebraska, which allocate electoral votes by congressional district. New Mexico uses the winner-take-all system.