HOUSE BILL 855

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; CHANGING THE NUMBER OF PRECINCT WORKERS REQUIRED FOR SPECIAL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 1-2-12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, Chapter 240, Section 32, as amended) is amended to read:

     "1-2-12. PRECINCT BOARD--NUMBER FOR EACH PRECINCT--

MULTIPARTISAN.--

          A. When absentee ballots are counted, the precinct board shall consist of:

                (1) a presiding judge;

                (2) one election judge from each of the major political parties;

                (3) one election clerk from each of the major political parties; and

                (4) if a major party has no registered, qualified elector who is able to fill the position as election judge or election clerk, a registered, qualified elector from another major party, chosen by the county clerk to fill the vacant position. 

          B. When one voting machine is to be used in a precinct, the precinct board shall consist of:

                (1) a presiding judge;

                (2) two election judges who shall be of different political parties; and

                (3) one election clerk who shall be of a different political party than the presiding judge.

          C. When two voting machines are to be used in a precinct, the precinct board shall consist of:

                (1) a presiding judge;

                (2) two election judges who shall be of different political parties; and

                (3) two election clerks who shall be of different political parties.

          D. When three voting machines are used in a precinct, the precinct board shall consist of:

                (1) a presiding judge;

                (2) two election judges who shall be of different political parties; and

                (3) three election clerks, not more than two of whom shall belong to the same political party.

          E. For school district elections held pursuant to the School Election Law and special elections held pursuant to Chapter 1, Article 24 NMSA 1978, the precinct board shall consist of one presiding judge, one election judge and one election clerk, unless the county clerk determines that additional clerks are needed in a precinct.

          [E.] F. If the county clerk determines that additional election clerks are needed in a precinct, the county clerk may appoint such additional election clerks as [he] the county clerk deems necessary; provided, however, that such appointments shall be made in the manner that provides for representation from all major political parties.

          [F.] G. In addition to the members of the precinct board provided for in this section, the county clerk may appoint an additional election clerk for the purpose of making changes in the certificate of registration of any voter who has voted in that election at the polling place."

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