§ 1-14-6 NMSA 1978

Either the contestant or contestee, within the time provided by the Election Code for the preservation of ballots, may give written notice with delivery confirmation to the county clerk of those counties wherein the contestant or contestee wishes the ballots preserved that a contest is pending in a designated court, and thereupon it is the duty of the county clerk to preserve the ballots of all precincts named in the notice of contest and answer until the contest has been finally determined.