Everything Albuquerque voters need to know about the December runoff

Albuquerque voters will head back to the polls Dec. 9 to decide the mayoral race between the incumbent Democrat Tim Keller and the Republican challenger Darren White and two city council races in Districts 1 and 3. 

The city charter required a runoff because no candidate got more than 50% of the vote in the Nov. 4 election.

How to vote

Albuquerque voters can cast ballots during early voting, on Election Day, or by submitting absentee ballots. Completed absentee ballots can be dropped off at any voting location, and requests for absentee ballots are accepted through Nov. 25.

For a full list of the 16 early voting and Election Day locations, visit berncoclerk.gov/elections/early-voting or call the Bernalillo County Clerk at (505) 468-1291.

Key runoff dates:

• Nov. 18: Absentee, military and overseas ballots go out — also the last day to register online or on paper.
• Nov. 25: Last day to request an absentee ballot. 
• Dec. 1-6: Early voting runs Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 9: Runoff Election Day. Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters who miss the Nov. 18 registration deadline can still register in person at any early voting site or on Election Day.

What’s on the ballot

• Mayor: Keller vs White: 
• Mayor Tim Keller, who received 36% of the vote and qualified for public financing, will receive $377,973 for the runoff, according to a City Clerk spokesperson. Publicly financed candidates had to return unused funds from the general election by Nov. 7 to receive their runoff distribution. His campaign confirmed he chose to remain publicly financed for the runoff. Darren White, who finished with 31% and is privately funded, will continue raising his own campaign money.

• City Council District 1: Telles vs. Neal
• Democrat Stephanie Telles and Republican Joshua Neal will compete in a Dec. 9 runoff for Albuquerque’s District 1 City Council seat after neither won a majority Nov. 4. Telles led with 36%, while Neal followed with 26%. The winner begins a four-year term in January.

• City Council District 3: Peña vs. Garcia
• Incumbent Democrat Klarissa Peña will face Democrat Teresa Garcia in the District 3 runoff. Peña received 41% of the vote, Garcia 38%. Peña qualified for public financing and is eligible to receive $20,000 in runoff campaign funds if she chooses to accept it, according to a City Clerk spokesperson. Peña told City Desk she decided to go with private financing for the runoff. The winner will begin a four-year term in January.