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 a vailable 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 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 HCPAC

DATE TYPED 3/9/05

HB CS/18, 41, 208, 329

SHORT TITLE Require Voter Identification

SB

ANALYST Medina

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

Minimal Non-Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to the Election Code

Conflicts with Senate Rules Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 678, 680, 718 and 735

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Secretary of State (SOS)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HCPAC Substitute

House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee Substitute for House Bills 18, 41, 63, 208 and

329 consolidates legislation relating specifically to voter identification, amending the Election

Code to provide for voter identification requirements. The bill:

•

requires applicants for certificates of voter registration to submit a copy of a current

and valid photo identification, or a utility bill, bank statement, government check,

paycheck or other government document, including identification issued by an Indian

nation, tribe or pueblo—these are referred to throughout the bill as the required iden-

tification;

•

requires that the voter submit this required identification when voting in person or ab-

sentee;

•

requires that the election judge ask the voter for the required identification and verify

that the name and address appearing on the signature roster be “substantially the

same” as it appears on the voter’s required identification;

•

requires that in order to receive an absentee ballot, the voter must submit a copy of

House Bill CS/18, 41, 63, 208, 329 -- Page 2

one of the required forms of identification or a current and valid photo identification;

•

clarifies that if a qualified voter does not present the required form of identification,

the voter is to be issued and is to vote using a provisional ballot;

•

clarifies that the Secretary of State is to establish procedures for the submittal of re-

quired identification with mailed-in absentee ballots; and

•

requires that an absentee voter include a copy of the required identification in the of-

ficial inner envelope when mailing in an absentee ballot.

Significant Issues

The requirement that the name and address appearing on the signature roster and on the certifi-

cate of registration be “substantially the same” as it appears on the voter’s required identifica-

tion. The Secretary of State notes that if a voter moves, the voter’s address cannot possibly be

substantially the same as the voter’s previous address.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

This bill would have a minimal fiscal impact related to the administrative implications for the

Secretary of State.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Secretary of State would be required to provide election workers with the necessary notifica-

tion and training regarding new voter identification requirements.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Senate Rules Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 678, 680, 718 and 735 conflicts with this bill

in its requirements for voter identification. The provisions in SRC/SB 678 et al. do not require

that the address on the voter’s valid identification match the address on the voter’s certificate of

registration. Furthermore, C/SB 678 et al. allows that voters present original (written) forms of

voter identification or a verbal or written statement by the voter of the voter’s name, year of birth

and unique identifier; provided that the statement of the voter’s name also need not contain the

voter’s middle initial or suffix.

Conversely, this bill, HCPAC/HB 18 et al., requires that the name and address appearing on the

signature roster be “substantially the same” as the name and address indicated on the voter’s re-

quired identification. If these are not substantially the same, then the voter must present current

and valid photo identification or otherwise vote on a provisional ballot.

ALTERNATIVES

Election reform legislation may be analyzed during the interim allowing for more input from vot-

ers and others concerned with election reform.

DXM/yr