HOUSE BILL 92

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan "Nate" Cote

AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; AUTHORIZING COUNTY CLERKS TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS ALLOWING EARLY VOTERS FROM AN ADJOINING COUNTY TO VOTE AT CERTAIN ALTERNATE VOTING LOCATIONS OF THE OTHER COUNTY.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Absent Voter Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] EARLY VOTING--JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT ON USE OF ALTERNATE VOTING LOCATION OF ADJOINING COUNTY.--

          A. A county clerk of a county may enter into a joint powers agreement with the county clerk of an adjoining county to allow early voters to cast ballots at specified alternate voting locations across county lines.

          B. The joint powers agreement shall be executed no later than ninety days before an election and may remain in effect throughout an election cycle. Upon execution, a copy of the joint powers agreement shall be filed with the office of the secretary of state.

          C. The joint powers agreement shall specify:

                (1) the counties entering into the joint powers agreement;

                (2) the election or elections covered by the agreement;

                (3) the alternate voting locations that will permit early voters to cast ballots across county lines;

                (4) arrangements, if any, for payment or reimbursement for facilities and services; and

                (5) arrangements, if any, for payment or reimbursement for costs of personnel.

          D. In addition to the requirements for alternate voting locations provided in Section 1-6-5.7 NMSA 1978, an alternate voting location operating under a joint powers agreement pursuant to this section shall have voting systems and ballot boxes for each county.

          E. Notwithstanding the residency provisions of Subsection A of Section 1-2-7 NMSA 1978, the joint powers agreement may provide that precinct board members at an alternate voting location operating pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be voters of a county participating in the joint powers agreement and may be jointly qualified for appointment and service by each county clerk."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2013.

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