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

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; ELIMINATING THE STRAIGHT PARTY VOTE OPTION ON ELECTION BALLOTS.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Election Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] BALLOTS--NO STRAIGHT PARTY TICKET OPTION.--Ballots shall not provide the option to vote a straight party ticket with one mark or selection."

Section 2. Section 1-12-53 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977, Chapter 222, Section 56, as amended) is amended to read:

"1-12-53. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS--VOTERS--EMERGENCY PAPER BALLOT--GENERAL ELECTION--MARKING.--The voter in preparing an emergency paper ballot in a general election shall

[A. if he wishes to vote a straight party ticket, mark a cross (X) or a check (V) in the circle beneath the name of the party and his vote shall be considered as having been cast for every candidate named on the ticket of that party on the ballot, unless he also votes for one or more candidates in some other column or for some person whose name is not printed on the ballot;

B. if he marks a cross (X) or a check (V) in any circle and also desires to vote for a candidate of another political party (the ticket of which also appears on the ballot) or for any person by write-in, mark a cross (X) or a check (V) in the box immediately to the right of the name of the candidate or write in the name of the person for whom he desires to vote in the blank provided therefor and mark a cross (X) or a check (V) in the box immediately to the right thereof, and his vote shall be considered as having been cast for every candidate of the political party below the party name where he marked his cross (X) or a check (V) in the circle, except for the candidates for whom he has otherwise voted; or

C. if he wishes] mark the ballot by [omitting the cross (X) or check (V) in the circle and] marking a cross (X) or a check (V) in the box immediately to the right of the name of every candidate or person for whom he desires to vote, and his vote shall be considered as having been cast only for the candidate or person opposite whose name the cross or check has been marked."

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.