| Year | Won | Margin | Democratic | Republican | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | D | 9,373 | 6,268 | 15,989 | |
| 2020 | D | 10,990 | 5,408 | 16,628 | |
| 2016 | D | 9,592 | 3,599 | 14,878 | |
| 2012 | D | 11,465 | 3,397 | 15,343 | |
| 2008 | D | 12,703 | 4,086 | 16,940 | |
| 2004 | D | 9,753 | 5,149 | 14,999 | |
| 2000 | D | 8,169 | 3,495 | 12,097 | |
| 1996 | D | 7,965 | 2,551 | 11,305 | |
| 1992 | D | 7,832 | 2,680 | 11,542 | |
| 1988 | D | 7,503 | 3,024 | 10,626 | |
| 1984 | D | 6,938 | 4,116 | 11,146 | |
| 1980 | D | 6,245 | 3,794 | 10,591 | |
| 1976 | D | 7,125 | 3,213 | 10,449 | |
| 1972 | D | 5,642 | 4,351 | 10,195 | |
| 1968 | D | 4,799 | 3,935 | 9,102 | |
| 1964 | D | 6,787 | 2,906 | 9,757 | |
| 1960 | D | 6,250 | 3,716 | 9,969 | |
| 1956 | R | 4,291 | 4,566 | 8,860 | |
| 1952 | D | 4,564 | 4,336 | 8,905 | |
| 1948 | D | 4,753 | 4,273 | 9,043 | |
| 1944 | D | 3,792 | 3,532 | 7,327 | |
| 1940 | D | 4,952 | 4,289 | 9,247 | |
| 1936 | D | 4,691 | 4,093 | 8,802 | |
| 1932 | D | 5,337 | 2,880 | 8,229 | |
| 1928 | R | 2,444 | 4,109 | 6,557 | |
| 1924 | R | 2,734 | 3,707 | 6,591 | |
| 1920 | R | 2,056 | 3,986 | 6,042 | |
| 1916 | R | 1,528 | 1,992 | 3,521 | |
| 1912 | R | 1,004 | 1,549 | 2,659 | |
| 1908 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1904 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1896 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1892 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1888 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1884 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — | |
| 1876 | — | — | — | — |
Rio Arriba's electorate is roughly 75% Hispanic, a demographic reality that has anchored consistent double-digit Democratic margins for decades. The county's rural high-desert geography and land-grant history make it culturally distinct from most of the rural West.
The Democratic margin in Rio Arriba County reached its widest at fifty-three points in 2012. The margin in 2024 was nineteen points — still decisive.
Rio Arriba County's loyalty is rooted in its place. Median household income of $57,155, a 22% non-Hispanic-white share, and a population of 40,070 together describe a community whose political habits are deeply settled. The county's voting pattern over the last decade is most similar to that of Hancock County and Costilla County.
