Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us). Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also 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	Sandoval		DATE TYPED	2/2/04		HB	248
SHORT TITLE		Change Absentee Ballot Requirements				SB
					ANALYST		Collard

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
			See Narrative

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Secretary of State

Attorney General

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 248 proposes to give federal qualified electors and overseas voters the right to request an absentee ballot for all elections within an election cycle (a two-year period). Additionally, the bill proposes to eliminate this right for other voters.

Significant Issues

According to the Secretary of State, this is language in the Election Code to allow military and overseas voters to obtain an absentee ballot application for a two-year period, as recommended by the Pentagon’s Federal Voting Assistance Program. During the last regular session, this language was inadvertently amended and attached to the wrong section of the code. This bill places the language in the correct section.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no significant fiscal implications associated with this bill.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Secretary of State indicates, without correction, it is possible for any voter in the state to automatically receive a mailed ballot for any election within a two-year period without a request. Due to the highly mobile nature of our state’s urban areas, this could result in a proliferation of ballots sent to addresses where the voter no longer resides.

KBC/lg