SANTA FE – The Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday announced that the first round of voting has opened for New Mexico Mask Madness, a statewide competition intended to highlight the creativity and artistic ability of New Mexicans amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Mexicans can cast a vote for their favorite masks once a day online here.

Seeding-round voting will be open through the end of Wednesday, June 3. The top vote-getters will be seeded into brackets and New Mexicans will be able to vote for their favorite mask in each match up until a champion is crowned – and a prize is awarded to the best mask in New Mexico!

Per the New Mexico Department of Health public health emergency order effective May 16, all New Mexicans are required to wear a mask or face covering in public settings, with exceptions for eating, drinking and exercising and medical requirements. New Mexicans can make their own mask easily – see a tutorial video here. New Mexicans can also request a face covering from the state here.

Stay home. Don’t gather with people. And wear a mask to protect your community and slow the spread of COVID-19.