SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 58

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

INTRODUCED BY

Howie C. Morales

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSIGN A COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF USING EITHER ALL-MAIL BALLOTS OR VOTING CENTERS, INSTEAD OF MAINTAINING A SEPARATE VOTING SITE FOR EACH PRECINCT, FOR ELECTIONS.

     WHEREAS, there have been numerous changes to New Mexico election laws requiring paper ballots; and

     WHEREAS, voter participation by absentee by mail and absentee early voting has greatly increased statewide as the preferred method of voting for many citizens; and

     WHEREAS, poll worker recruitment is at an all-time low due to the long hours required with a fourteen-hour-per-day minimum, and the small per diem; and

     WHEREAS, poll workers are now expected to make decisions affecting voters' rights when deciding whether to issue a regular, provisional or absentee ballot; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has consistently had problems ensuring disability access to all polling places on election day; and

     WHEREAS, the financial cost of maintaining separate voting sites for each precinct is out of proportion to the number of voters who vote on election day; and

     WHEREAS, the human resource expense of maintaining separate voting sites for each precinct is out of proportion to the number of voters who cast a ballot on election day; and

     WHEREAS, maintaining voting sites for each precinct raises the cost of maintaining compliance with changing federal requirements for voting machines, polling locations, poll workers and disability access; and

     WHEREAS, the use of either all-mail ballots or voting centers on election day would decrease polling place costs and reduce the number of voting machines maintained, which would result in lower maintenance costs; and

     WHEREAS, the use of either all-mail ballots or voting centers on election day would help ensure full compliance with disability access requirements; and

     WHEREAS, polling place use has declined statewide, while county expenses have remained at the same level in terms of supplies and staffing, resulting in a less cost-efficient use of resources;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council assign the appropriate legislative interim committee to study the feasibility and advisability of using either all-mail ballots or voting centers on election day to contain rising costs, ensure full participation by the voters, provide professional and efficient administration of elections and maintain full compliance and access for persons with disabilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of state, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico municipal league be requested to cooperate and participate in the study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that results of the study and recommendations be submitted to the second session of the forty-ninth legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council, the secretary of state, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico municipal league.

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