The Independent View: NM House Passes Bills for Voting Reform

Thanks to Richard Winger of Ballot Access News for this post.

On Feb. 18th, the New Mexico House passed:

HB 86 Election Day & Early Voting Registration

Sponsors: Rep. Daymon Ely (D-23rd District) and Rep. Joy Garratt (D-29th District)

Co-Sponsors: Rep. Patricia Roybal Cabellero (D-13th District) and Rep. Debra Sarinana (D-21st District)

Joint Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-36th District)

Provides for:

A Qualified Elector may Register to Vote on Election Day by appearing In-Person at the Polling Place for the Precinct in which the Qualified Elector Maintains Residence, completing a Certificate of Registration, making an Oath in the Form prescribed by the Secretary of State and providing Proof of Residence. A Voter shall Not be allowed to Change Party Affiliation when Registering at an Early Voting Site or Polling Place during a Primary Election.

HB 84 Auto Voter Registration At MVD & Elsewhere

Sponsors: Rep. Daymon Ely (D-23rd district) and Rep. Joy Garratt (D-29th District)

Co-Sponsors: Rep. Susan Herrera (D-41st District), Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-15th District), Rep. Patricia Roybal Cabellero (D-13th District), and Rep. Debra Sarinana (D-21st District).

Provides for:

Every Person who is a Qualified Elector and is Applying for a Driver's License or State Identification Card, or to Renew or Update a Driver's License or Identification Card shall, be simultaneously Automatically Registered to Vote, or shall have an Existing Voter Registration Automatically Updated, unless the Person Declines to Register or to Update the Person's Registration during the Application process. Every Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Office, Field Office or Contract Field Office of the Division shall Display within the Offices clearly visible Signs stating "voter registration assistance available".