The 2026 Second Chance Index
How New Mexico ranks for second chances
New Mexico ranks 15th of 51 in the 2026 Second Chance Index, scoring 73 out of 100 for clearing a record, voting rights and where its felony line falls. That's 11.5 points above the median state (61.5).
Built from New Mexico's record-clearing, voting and felony-class records, last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
73 out of 100
- Clearing a record
- 42 / 50
- Voting rights
- 22 / 30
- Where the felony line falls
- 9 / 20
Every point New Mexico earned and missed
Each line is a field we publish about New Mexico, checked against state law and official guidance. The points are the index's; the method lists every one.
Clearing a record
42 of 50 points| What we score | New Mexico | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Some records clear automatically | Limited automatic clearing | 10/15 |
| A general route to clear a felony | Yes | 12/12 |
| A general route to clear a misdemeanor | Yes | 8/8 |
| A way to clear a case with no conviction | Yes | 8/8 |
| A fee waiver on at least one route | Yes | 4/4 |
| A DUI conviction can be cleared | No | 0/3 |
Voting rights
22 of 30 points| What we score | New Mexico | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When the vote comes back after a felony | After prison | 22/30 |
Where the felony line falls
9 of 20 points| What we score | New Mexico | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Theft becomes a felony at | Over $500 | 2/10 |
| Repeat DUI becomes a felony | From the 4th offense | 7/10 |
Where the 27 missing points are
- 8When the vote comes back after a felony: After prison
- 8Theft becomes a felony at: Over $500
- 5Some records clear automatically: Limited automatic clearing
- 3A DUI conviction can be cleared: No
- 3Repeat DUI becomes a felony: From the 4th offense
The index scores what state law says, not how courts apply it. A lower score doesn't mean New Mexico offers no relief; its pages list every route.
States ranked near New Mexico
- #13Nevada75.5
- #14North Dakota73.5
- #15New Mexico73
- #16Missouri72.5
- #17Indiana72
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "How New Mexico ranks for second chances" https://secondchanceindex.com/state-rankings/new-mexico, checked October 29, 2026.