SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 16

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

INTRODUCED BY

Cliff R. Pirtle

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 7, SECTION 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO BE AT LEAST EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE TO HOLD AN ELECTIVE PUBLIC OFFICE, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 7, Section 2 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. Every citizen of the United States who is a legal resident of the state, [and] is a qualified elector therein and is at least eighteen years of age shall be qualified to hold any elective public office except as otherwise provided in this constitution.

          B. The legislature may provide by law for such qualifications and standards as may be necessary for holding an appointive position by any public officer or employee.

          C. The right to hold public office in New Mexico shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex, and wherever the masculine gender is used in this constitution, in defining the qualifications for specific offices, it shall be construed to include the feminine gender. The payment of public road poll tax, school poll tax or service on juries shall not be made a prerequisite to the right of a person to vote or hold office."

     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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