NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

B. Lujan

 

DATE TYPED:

3/19/03

 

HB

628/aSRC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Major and Minor Party Qualifications

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Collard

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

 

($300.0)

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Secretary of State

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of SRC Amendment

 

The Senate Rules Committee amendment to House Bill 628 reduces the percentage for major party status from 10 percent of the total registered voters in the state to four percent.  It should be noted this still only allows two major political parties in the state of New Mexico.

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 628 changes the Election Code to provide major party status to political parties with at least 10 percent of the total registered voters in the state.  It also changes the Election Code to provide minor party status to political parties with less than 10 percent of the total registered voters in the state.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

This bill has no appropriation; however, the Secretary of State indicates one of the state’s current major parties does not have 10 percent of the total registered voters in the state.  Thus, under this bill, the state will save $300.0 annually due to the deletion of a major party primary election.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The Secretary of State anticipates substantial positive impact if Bureau of Elections does not have administrative duties associated with a major party primary for a party with few members.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

The Secretary of State indicates a substantial cost savings for the counties as the counties pay approximately 40 percent of the materials for major party primary elections, including absentee ballots, emergency paper ballots, tally sheets, canvass sheets and associated supplies.

 

KBC/yr:njw