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committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports
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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Fox-Young
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
2/20/07
3/14/07 HB 626/aHCPAC/aHVEC
SHORT TITLE 48-Hour Election Reporting
SB
ANALYST Wilson
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT (dollars in thousands)
FY07
FY08
FY09 3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
Total
$0.1
$0.1 Recurring General
Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
SUMMARY
Synopsis of HVEC Amendment
The House Voters and Election Committee amendment adds that the number of each ballot type
used shall be adjusted upon certification of the canvass.
Synopsis of HCPAC Amendment
The House Consumer and Public Affairs amendment changes the requirement that a county clerk
must transmit information to the Secretary of State (SOS) within 24 hours to within 48 hours of
the closing of the polls.
The amendment also changes the requirement for the SOS to report the number of each type of
ballot cast statewide from 48 hours to 72hours within the closing of the polls.
Synopsis of Original Bill
House Bill 626 adds a new section to the Election Code requiring the county clerk shall
determine the number of each type of ballot cast in the election in that county and within 24
hours of the closing of the polls, transmit the information to the Secretary of State (SOS).
The SOS shall report the number of each type of ballot cast statewide within 48 hours of the
closing of the polls.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The SOS and the county clerks will claim they need additional resources to provide the results in
a timely manner.
pg_0002
House Bill 626/aHCPAC/aHVEC– Page
2
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
New Mexico as well as several other states has had problems reporting election results in a
timely manner to the candidates and to the public.
This bill attempts to rectify the problem but does no offer any resources to the SOS and county
clerks. In addition there are no penalties for failing to comply with the provisions of this bill.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
When elections are being held this bill’s requirement will have significant administration impact.
on the SOS and the county clerks.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
What penalties are appropriate for an elected official who fails to comply with the Election
Code.
DW/nt