RELATING TO ELECTIONS; REDUCING THE REQUIRED SIZE OF NOMINATING PETITIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 1-8-30 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1973, Chapter 228, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:
"1-8-30. PRIMARY ELECTION LAW--DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY--NOMINATING PETITION--FILING AND FORM.--
A. As used in the Primary Election Law, "nominating petition" means the authorized form used for obtaining the required number of signatures of voters, which is signed on behalf of the person wishing to become a candidate for a political office in the primary election requiring a nominating petition.
B. In making a declaration of candidacy, the candidate at the same time shall file a nominating petition, which shall be on the form prescribed by law.
C. The nominating petition shall be on paper approximately eight and one-half inches wide and eleven inches long with numbered lines for signatures spaced approximately three-eighths of an inch apart and shall be in the following form:
"NOMINATING PETITION
I, the undersigned, a registered voter of the county of _______________, New Mexico, and a member of the _______________ party, hereby nominate ____________________, who resides at __________________ in the county of _______________, New Mexico, for the party nomination for the office of ________________________, to be voted for at the primary election to be held on the first Tuesday of June, 20 _____, and I declare that I am a resident of the state, district, county or area to be represented by the office for which the person being nominated is a candidate. I also declare that I have not signed, and will not sign, any nominating petition for more persons than the number of candidates necessary to fill such office at the next ensuing general election.
1. _____________ _______________ ______________ __________
(usual (name printed (address as (city or
signature) as registered) registered) rt. no.)
2. _____________ _______________ ______________ __________
(usual (name printed (address as (city or
signature) as registered) registered) rt. no.).".
D. In October of odd-numbered years, the secretary of state shall furnish to each county clerk a sample of a nominating petition form, a copy of which shall be made available by the county clerk upon request of any candidate.
E. When more than one sheet is required for a petition, each of the sheets shall be in the form prescribed by this section and all sheets shall be firmly secured by a staple or other suitable fastening."
Section 2. Section 1-8-50 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977, Chapter 322, Section 6, as amended) is amended to read:
"1-8-50. INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES FOR GENERAL OR UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE SPECIAL ELECTIONS--NOMINATING PETITION FORM.--
A. As used in Sections 1-8-45 through 1-8-52 NMSA 1978, "nominating petition" means the authorized form used for obtaining the required number of signatures of voters that is signed on behalf of the person wishing to become an independent candidate for a political office in a general or United States representative special election requiring a nominating petition.
B. In making a determination of candidacy, the candidate shall file a nominating petition at the same time, which shall be on forms prescribed by law.
C. The nominating petition for an independent candidate for any office except president of the United States shall be on paper approximately eight and one-half inches wide and eleven inches long with numbered lines for signatures spaced approximately three-eighths of an inch apart and shall be in the following form:
"NOMINATING PETITION FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY
I, the undersigned, a registered voter of the county of ____________________, New Mexico, hereby nominate ___________________________________, who resides at _________________________ in the county of _______________, New Mexico, as an independent candidate for the office of _________________________, to be voted for at the general election, or United States representative special election to be held on _____________________,_________
(month) (day) (year)
and I declare that I am a resident of the state, district, county or area to be represented by the office for which the person being nominated is a candidate. I also declare that I have not signed, and will not sign, any nominating petition for more persons than the number of candidates necessary to fill the office at the next ensuing general election or at a United States representative special election.
1. _____________ ______________ ____________ __________
(usual (name printed (address as (city)
signature) as registered) registered)
2. _____________ ______________ ____________ __________
(usual (name printed (address as (city).".
signature) as registered) registered)
D. The nominating petition for an independent candidate for the office of president of the United States shall be on paper approximately eight and one-half inches wide and eleven inches long with numbered lines for signatures spaced approximately three-eighths of an inch apart and shall be in the following form:
"NOMINATING PETITION FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY
FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
I, the undersigned, a registered voter of the county of __________, New Mexico, by endorsement hereon, petition that the name of ____________ be printed on the general election ballot as an independent candidate for the office of president of the United States, to be voted on at the general election to be held on November _________, _____. I also declare that I am that person whose name appears hereon and that I have not signed, nor will I sign, any nominating petition for any other candidate seeking the office of president of the United States at the next ensuing general election.".
E. The secretary of state shall furnish to each county clerk a sample of the nominating petition form, a copy of which shall be made available by the county clerk upon request of any candidate as provided by the Election Code.
F. When more than one sheet is required for a petition, each of the sheets shall be in the form prescribed by this section, and all sheets shall be firmly secured by a staple or other suitable fastening."
HB 932
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