87116 is a true toss-up. About 52% of voters here vote Democratic and 48% Republican.
About 60% of adults in 87116 typically vote, near the U.S. average of about 62%. Among adults in 87116, ~31% vote Democratic, ~29% Republican, and ~40% don't vote. The map below shows estimated turnout by block group.
How 87116 compares
Among zip codes within 15 miles, 87116 leans more Democratic than 4 of 22 neighbors.
Politically, 87116 sits close to the rest of New Mexico.
Politics vary noticeably by block within 87116. The west side runs the most Democratic (D+10) and the southwest side runs the most Republican (Even), a spread of about 12 points.
Why 87116 leans the way it does
Density, race composition, education, and family structure all sit close to their national averages in 87116. The lean here lands roughly where demographic data alone would predict.
Paved land cover and Democratic lean
Places with extensive paved surfaces tend to lean Democratic; 87116, NM sits in the top quarter nationally on this measure. Paved ground does not change how people vote; it mostly reflects how urban and built-up a place is.
Why turnout in 87116 looks the way it does
Renters vote less often than owners. About 99% of households in 87116 rent, about 74 points above the U.S. average of 25%. Learn more about the findings and methodology on the political spectrum map.
Nearby Zip Codes
Zip Codes with Similar Populations
Sources and methodology
Precinct-level voting records used to fit the model come from New Mexico Secretary of State, Bureau of Elections, distributed by the Voting and Election Science Team. Demographic inputs come from the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-year estimates and the 2020 Decennial Census). Health and environmental inputs come from the CDC (PLACES and the Environmental Justice Index). Land cover comes from the USGS and EPA. Election-day and lead-up weather come from PRISM 4km daily grids and the NOAA Global Historical Climatology Network. Mail-voting and election-administration patterns come from the MIT Election Lab's Survey of the Performance of American Elections. Block-group crime detail comes from CrimeGrade. Internet data and modeling support provided by ISPreports.org.
Modeling and analysis by the BestNeighborhood data science team. Full methodology and findings: political spectrum map.
Methodology reviewed by the BestNeighborhood data team. Last updated May 2026.