SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Bill Tallman

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 7 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO ALLOW VOTERS WHO HAVE NOT SELECTED A PARTY AFFILIATION TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION OF A POLITICAL PARTY AND PROVIDING POLITICAL PARTIES THE OPTION OF ALLOWING ONLY PARTY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTY'S NOMINATION PROCESS ON CONDITION THAT THE PARTY PAYS THE COSTS OF THAT PROCESS.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 7 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

     "A political party that qualifies for and chooses to participate in a state-sponsored and state-funded primary election as provided by law shall allow a qualified elector who is registered to vote, but has not selected a party affiliation on the qualified elector's certificate of voter registration, to vote in that party's primary election; provided that the qualified elector may vote in only one party's primary election; and provided further that a political party may choose to nominate its candidates in a manner otherwise provided by law that allows the party to limit participation in the nomination process to members of the party if the party pays all costs of the nomination process."

     SECTION 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

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