ARLINGTON, VA (Sept. 22, 2026) – New Mexico voters want school choice, and they want it by a wide margin. The finding comes from a new statewide survey of 657 registered New Mexico voters, conducted September 8-14 by Quantum Survey Group on behalf of Parents for School Options, a leading national advocacy organization that supports families and their pursuit of equitable access to a high-quality education.

Given a straight choice between a candidate who believes parents should be able to choose any school regardless of district lines and one who believes students should stay in their assigned public school, voters picked school choice by a landslide, 68% to 16%. The margin held across party lines: Republicans backed it 74% to 13%, swing voters 69% to 16%, and Democrats 61% to 18%. Urban, suburban and rural voters landed within a few points of each other.

Zoom in on schools specifically, and curriculum quality tops voters' concerns at 31%, ahead of school funding (24%), teacher pay (14%) and school safety (11%). Six in ten voters (61%) say they are dissatisfied with the state's public school system. Only 27% are satisfied.

Two more questions point the same direction. 60% of voters said they would be more likely to support a candidate who backs funding that follows the child to the school of their choice, versus 15% less likely, with majority support from Republicans (64-14), Democrats (56-22) and swing voters (62-12). Parental voice mattered even more: 76% said a candidate who believes parents should have a critical voice in their child's education would earn more support, against just 13% less likely.

On state testing, voters chose a candidate who'd use results only to help schools improve over one who'd use them to close schools, 51% to 32%. And 54% disagree with New Mexico's decision to opt out of the federal education scholarship program.

"What stands out here is the consensus,” says Chase Eskelsen, Executive Director of PSO. “New Mexico voters, regardless of party or geography, want parents in the driver's seat. We hope legislators use this data to make informed, responsive decisions."

Taken together, the findings describe an electorate ready for a different approach to education, one built around choice, curriculum and parental voice.

For media inquiries, contact Chelsea Lawlor-Ellsworth at chelsea@parentsforschooloptions.org.

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About Parents for School Options

‍Parents for School Options is an advocacy group that supports families and their pursuit of equitable access to a high-quality education. We defend the family’s right to choose options that are safe, enriched, and suit the needs of each individual child. We give a voice to all options, all families, all backgrounds. We empower families with tools, valid information, networking and support to exercise school choice rights. We work to build future advocates by teaching families and students to share their positive school choice experiences and encourage a love of learning.