The first three days of early voting in New Mexico's semi-open primary election has seen a slow start for independent voters, with less than 10% of the 6,950 voters cast ballots in the first days of the primary election cycle being independents. Since early voting began, Democrats were voting at a higher rate than either Republicans or independents, according to data released by Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver's office. The June 2 primary election is the first in state history in which independent voters can cast a ballot without having to select a major party affiliation and will not be bound by their decision in future elections. The semi-opened primary system, signed into law last year by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, could potentially boost turnout rates in a state where only 25.2% of registered voters cast ballot in 2022.