NM Bill For Top-Four Open Primary With RCV General Election System

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

New Mexico State Senator, Bill Tallman (D-18th District, Albuquerque) has introduced SJR 1, a proposed Constitutional Amendment:

- TO REQUIRE PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR STATEWIDE OFFICES, LEGISLATIVE OFFICES AND UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES TO BE CONDUCTED AS NONPARTISAN OPEN PRIMARY ELECTIONS AND TO REQUIRE INSTANT RUNOFFS TO BE USED FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS FOR STATEWIDE OFFICES, LEGISLATIVE OFFICES AND UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES.

- If the Legislature does Not provide for Runoff Elections, the Person who receives the Highest Number of Votes for [any] an Office, except as provided in Subsections C through F of this Section, and except in the cases of the Offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, shall be declared Elected to that Office.

- Instant Runoffs, Ranked-Choice-voting (RCV ), shall be used for General Elections for Statewide Offices, Legislative Offices, and U.S. Congressional Offices. The general election Ballot shall provide the opportunity to mark a First choice, Second choice, Third choice, and Fourth choice, for each office appearing on the Ballot, or joint Offices in the case of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, if that many Candidates or Joint Candidates qualify for the General Election Ballot.

- The Four Candidates, or Joint Candidates in the case of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, that receive the Highest numbers of Votes cast in a Nonpartisan Open Primary Election for a Statewide Office, Legislative Office, or U.S. Congressional Office, shall appear on the General Election Ballot for that Office. No other Names shall appear on the General Election Ballot.

Richard writes: That would Eliminate the Ability of Parties to have Nominees for Congress and State Office. Like the similar Bills in other States, if Enacted, it would make it extremely Difficult for Minor Parties to remain Ballot-Qualified. They would need to Perform very well in the Presidential Race.

As I read it, it would Not permit Write-Ins in the General Election.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker