Critical Election Security Bill Passes House
Senate Bill 180 builds on New Mexico’s historic Voting Rights Act with critical enhancements to election security and administration
Santa Fe, NM- Today, the House of Representatives passed an important bill to enhance and modernize election security and administration in New Mexico by a vote of 44-25.
Updates Senate Bill 180 would make to the New Mexico Election Code include:
Allowing for electronic nominating petition signatures for primary ballot qualification
Making home addresses of public officials confidential on election related and campaign reporting documents
Specifying when the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) applies to election-related requests
Creating an elections security program
Updating timelines and procedures for absentee ballots
Improving training for election challengers and watchers
“The important updates to our election security in this bill complement our recent work to expand ballot access with the New Mexico Voting Rights Act,” said House sponsor Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque). “Senate Bill 180 gives election officials the tools they need to make our elections efficient and secure for administrators and voters alike.”
Senate Bill 180 is sponsored by Senators Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque) and Leo Jaramillo (D-Española) and Leader Chasey. It now heads to the desk of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The Roundhouse is open to the public for the 2023 session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.
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