N.M. Stat. § 73-9-11
[Election board; chairman's powers; opening and closing
polls; return.]
One of the judges shall be chairman of the election board and may: first - administer
all oaths required in the progress of any election; second - appoint judges and clerks, if
during the progress of the election any judge or clerk ceases to act. Any member of the
board of election, or any clerk thereof, may administer and certify the oaths required to
be administered during the progress of an election. Before opening the polls, each
member of the board must take and subscribe an oath to faithfully perform the duties
imposed upon him by law. An elector of the precinct may administer and certify such
oath. The polls must be opened at eight o'clock in the morning of election and be kept
open until six o'clock p.m. of the same day. It shall be the duty of the clerk of the board
of election to forthwith deliver the return duly certified to the board of directors of the
district.