The Independent View: NM Legislature Passes Bill for AVR and Election-Day Registration

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

SB50 and HB84 are Identical Bills that would allow Every Person who is a Qualified Elector and is applying for a Driver's License, ID Card, Renewing or Updating a Driver's License or ID Card, to be Automatically Registered to Vote, or to have an Existing Voter Registration Automatically Updated, unless the Person Declines to Register or have their Registration Updated. These Bills would also make Automatic Voter Registration available at All State Agencies providing Public Assistance or Services to People with Disabilities and at other State and Local Public Offices designated by the Secretary of State.

History: A similar Bill, HB28, was introduced in 2017. It passed 56-10 in the House. It was reported out with Amendments and without Recommendation by the Senate Rules Committee; No Action was taken by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Original Bill described an Opt-Out system: Citizens could Decline to Register, but Registration would be the Default Action. Amendments by the House Local Government, Elections, Land Grants, and Cultural Affairs Committee and the Senate Rules Committee Changed this to an Opt-In system.

Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) is a process States are Adopting to Update the Current Paper-based System with an Electronic System that Creates a Secure Database to Automatically Identify and Register All Eligible Americans to Vote. The Secure Database actively Updates Voter Registration Information when People Apply for or Renew their Driver’s License/State ID Card or when they Change their Address.

AVR will Protect the Fundamental Right of every New Mexican to Vote, regardless of Party. It will ensure that those who have Historically encountered Barriers to Voting: Veterans, Active Military, Senior Citizens, and People with Disabilities, are able to participate Fully in our Democracy.

AVR will dramatically Increase the Number of Registered Voters in New Mexico, resulting in more Democratic Elections.

On the Evening of March 14th, the New Mexico Legislature passed (SB50/HB84). It provides for Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), in which each Adult Citizen known to Exist is Automatically Registered. The Individual is then Informed and is free to Decline. The Bill also allows Voters to Register at the Polls on Election Day. But No one can Change Parties during the 28 days before any Primary.

The Legislation now heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) desk for her Signature.

The House and Senate Endorsed a Final Version of the Bill that also Expands AVR services to New State Agencies.

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D) Advocated for the Changes as a way to Increase Voter Participation and to Clean-Up Voter Registration Rolls.

Under current State Law, Voter Registration Closes 28 days before Election Day.

Critics of the Same-Day Registration fear it will Eliminate Safeguards against Mistakes and Fraud. Proponents say it works in other States and allows Registration when Public Interest in Elections is Strongest.