HOUSE BILL 248
46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004
INTRODUCED BY
Edward C. Sandoval
AN ACT
RELATING TO ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS; CHANGING APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR FEDERAL QUALIFIED ELECTORS AND OVERSEAS VOTERS; CHANGING FORM REQUIREMENTS FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 1-6-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, Chapter 240, Section 130, as amended by Laws 2003, Chapter 356, Section 18 and by Laws 2003, Chapter 357, Section 1) is amended to read:
"1-6-4. ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION--FEDERAL QUALIFIED ELECTOR--OVERSEAS VOTER.--
A. Application by a federal qualified elector or an overseas voter for an absentee ballot shall be made on the official postcard form prescribed or authorized by the federal government to the county clerk of the county of his residence. A federal qualified elector or overseas voter may, in a single application, request the county clerk to supply the applicant with an absentee ballot for a single election or for all elections within an election cycle.
B. Application by a voter for an absentee ballot shall be made only on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. The form shall identify the applicant and contain information to establish his qualification for issuance of an absentee ballot under the Absent Voter Act; provided that on the application form for a general election ballot there shall be no box, space or place provided for designation of the voter's political party affiliation. [The form shall allow the applicant to receive an absentee ballot for all elections within an election cycle.]
C. Each application for an absentee ballot shall be subscribed by the applicant.
D. An application for an absentee ballot by a federal qualified elector or an overseas voter shall be accepted at any time preceding the general election."
Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.
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