SENATE MEMORIAL 55

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

INTRODUCED BY

Eric G. Griego

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO MAKE LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WOULD ALLOW FUSION VOTING IN THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, fusion voting allows a candidate for public office to run as the nominee for more than one political party; and

     WHEREAS, fusion voting allows voters to cast a ballot for the party that stands most strongly for their issues, and the ability to demonstrate votes delivered for a specific issue gives independent and minority party voters greater influence with candidates in the major parties, especially when votes for a minor party provide the margin of victory; and

     WHEREAS, fusion voting was once widespread in the United States, but as minor parties became successful due to fusion voting, state legislatures led by the major parties enacted bans against fusion voting and today fusion voting remains legal in only eight states; and

     WHEREAS, fusion voting allows minor parties to have more of a role in the political process and allows voters who belong to minor parties to have more of a voice in the political process, providing increased representation for all residents in the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of state be requested to convene a task force to make legislative recommendations that would allow fusion voting in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representatives from major and minor political parties of the state, common cause New Mexico, the county clerks' affiliate of the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico foundation for open government; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force submit a final report, with the recommendations for legislation to be introduced in the first session of the fifty-first legislature, to the appropriate interim committees by September 1, 2012; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of state.

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