HOUSE BILL 455

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

George Dodge, Jr.

AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; REQUIRING CERTAIN PRECINCTS TO BE SPLIT INTO TWO OR MORE PRECINCTS WHEN MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND VOTERS VOTE IN A GENERAL ELECTION IN THAT PRECINCT.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 1-3-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, Chapter 240, Section 50, as amended) is amended to read:

     "1-3-1. NATURE OF A PRECINCT--MAPS.--

          A. Each precinct as nearly as practicable shall be composed of contiguous and compact areas having clearly definable boundaries. All precinct boundaries shall comply with the provisions of the Precinct Boundary Adjustment Act.

          B. If a precinct for general or primary election purposes [shall not have] had more than [eight hundred] one thousand votes cast [in person] in that precinct at the last preceding general election, the precinct shall be divided into at least two precincts.

          C. Each county clerk shall provide and maintain a suitable map showing the current geographical boundaries with designation of each precinct, representative district and senatorial district in the county. The size and form of such maps shall be prescribed by the secretary of state. A word description of the geographical boundaries shall be attached to each map. [Such] The map, with attached description, is a public record.

          D. Each county clerk shall send a copy of each map with attached description to the secretary of state. These copies are also public records."

- 2 -