2016 United States presidential election in New Mexico
The 2016 United States presidential election in New Mexico was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. New Mexico voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. New Mexico has five electoral votes  in the Electoral College. Clinton won the state of New Mexico with a plurality, by a margin of 8.2 percentage points. The state had long been considered leaning Democratic, or a state Clinton would win, due to its large population of Hispanic/Latino and Native American voters. This is the third time since 1912, when New Mexico attained statehood, that the state voted for a candidate who did not win the Electoral College, after 1976 and 2000. However, in this election and in 2000, New Mexico voted for the candidate who received the most votes. Former New Mexico Governor Gary  Johnson achieved 9% in his home state, his best performance of any state and the Libertarian Party's best performance in any single state since Ed Clark received 11.66% of the vote in Alaska in 1980. Johnson's result was also the best result for a third party or independent candidate in New Mexico since Ross Perot's campaign in 1992. It was also the first time since 1976 that both Nevada and New Mexico have voted for the losing candidate in a presidential election. As of 2020, this is the last time that New Mexico voted to the left  of its northern neighbor Colorado. Primary elections. Democratic primary. Four candidates appeared on the Democratic Party (United States) presidential primary ballot: Republican primary. Twelve candidates appeared on the Republican presidential primary ballot: Donald Trump, the only candidate with an active campaign, won every delegate from New Mexico. Polling. Albuquerque Journal October 2, 2016 Albuquerque Journal November 5, 2016 Clinton won every pre-election poll conducted. Her margin of victory varied from 2 points to 13 points. The last poll showed Clinton ahead of Trump 46% to 44%, while the average of the last three had Clinton leading Trump 45% to  40%, with many undecided voters who probably considered Gary Johnson, the state's former governor. Johnson even reached 24% in one poll conducted by the Albuquerque Journal. General election. Statewide results. Results by county. Official results from New Mexico Secretary of State. By congressional district. Clinton won 2 of 3 congressional districts.