46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 6 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES FROM DISTRICTS.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 6 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

"The state shall be divided into five supreme court judicial election districts as provided by law. One justice of the supreme court shall be elected by the qualified electors residing in each district. Justices of the supreme court holding office on January 1 following the election at which this amendment is adopted shall be randomly assigned to the districts and shall be eligible for retention or rejection by the electorate of their assigned district at the general election next preceding the end of the term for which the justice or judge was last elected prior to the adoption of this amendment."

Section 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.