Good Voting and Election Bills on the Move

Good Voting and Election Bills on the Move

Common Cause New Mexico works to advance bills to improve voting rights, disclosure and ethics.

HB 151, Primary Voting for 17 year olds, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, passed the House Floor today with a vote of 47-19. Congratulations, Rep. Steinborn!  

This bill promotes democracy for our future by encouraging young people to vote.  Over the past decade, pre-registration has steadily emerged as an election reform across the U.S., and encouraging people of all ages to register to vote and participate in their government is crucial to the continued viability of our democracy.  

HB 61, Voting Verification Procedures, jointly sponsored by House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Chairman James Smith, R-Albuquerque, and Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, passed its first committee on Saturday afternoon and will move on to the House Judiciary Committee this week.

Please contact your Representative and ask them to support the bills listed below!  

You can find your Representative here!

  • Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015:

HB 278, Campaign Finance Disclosure, Rep. James Smith, R-Albuquerque, in the House Safety and Civil Affairs Committee beginning at 1:30 p.m. 

This important bill requires PACs and independent groups to disclose contributions and expenditures, as the candidates and political parties are already required to do under state law. It also adds definitions that are critical to improve transparency in our elections.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015:

HB 115, Independent Ethics Commission, Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, in the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

This bill would create an independent ethics commission which would investigate complaints of ethical violations by legislators and others who work for the state, as well as serving as a resource for officials to receive guidance on issues.