44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; PROVIDING A WORK SHIFT OPTION FOR PRECINCT BOARD MEMBERS; CHANGING PRECINCT BOARD COMPENSATION CALCULATION.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Election Code is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] ELECTION DAY WORK SHIFTS--PRECINCT BOARD WORK SHIFT OPTION.--

A. The county clerk may choose to schedule precinct board members into two work shifts on election day and also may determine the length of each shift for each precinct board member so long as the first shift begins at least one hour before the polls open.

B. If the county clerk chooses to schedule precinct board members in shifts, at least one election judge on each precinct board shall be scheduled to work both shifts that day.

C. The county clerk shall notify the secretary of state of all precincts that will be following a two shift schedule when he submits the list of precinct board appointments in accordance with Section 1-2-14 NMSA 1978."

Section 2. Section 1-2-16 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, Chapter 240, Section 36, as amended) is amended to read:

"1-2-16. PRECINCT BOARD--COMPENSATION.--

A. Members of a precinct board shall be compensated for their services at the rate of not less than [fifty dollars ($50.00)] the federal minimum hourly wage rate nor more than [ninety-five dollars ($95.00)] seven dollars ($7.00) per hour.

B. Compensation shall be paid within thirty days following the date of election."

Section 3. Section 1-12-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1969, Chapter 240, Section 238, as amended) is amended to read:

"1-12-2. CONDUCT OF ELECTION--PRECINCT BOARD ATTENDANCE.--Precinct board members, excepting those members scheduled to work only the second shift, shall present themselves at the polling place not later than 6:00 a.m. on the date required by law for the election."