New Mexico Democrats seek sweeping voting access changes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A statewide holiday on Election Day to encourage voting. Automated restoration of voting rights for ex-convicts. More time to distribute and count absentee ballots.
Democratic lawmakers have a lengthy wish list in New Mexico as they seek to expand access to voting.
New Mexico's first and only Black state senator, Harold Pope of Albuquerque, is cosponsoring the legislation with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth of Santa Fe, during the fast-paced legislative session that started Jan. 18 and ends on Feb. 17.
Here are the key changes sought by Democrats and counterpoints from opponents.
NEW HOLIDAY
More ballots were cast than ever before across New Mexico in the 2020 general election as voters backed President Joe Biden and a Republican challenger flipped a congressional seat in southern New Mexico.
State Democrats including Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver want to increasing voter access by turning Election Day into a state holiday, with public schools closed.
A monthlong period for early, in-person voting would be extended to the Sunday before elections, when many people are free of work and chores. Early voting currently begins at county clerks' offices four weeks ahead of voting and is expanded three Saturdays before an election to large-scale voting centers.
And proposed changes would allow 16-year-olds to cast ballots in local elections for offices such as mayor, city councilor and county commissioner.
MAIL-IN VOTING
The state Supreme Court in early 2020 rejected a petition by county clerks to send absentee, mail-in ballots that have not been requested by residents to nearly all registered voters.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Republican Party lawyers convinced justices that absentee ballots should only be available to...