HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 19

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Antonio "Moe" Maestas and Daymon Ely

 

 

 

 

 

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY NEEDED ELECTION REFORM.

 

     WHEREAS, a better democracy dictates that as many citizens as possible participate in every election, and representative democracy is critical to New Mexico so that all voters' voices are heard equally; and

     WHEREAS, many interested parties in recent years have proposed worthy election reform measures demonstrating that this topic is important and relevant; and

     WHEREAS, a comprehensive approach to election reform where all ideas are heard and thoroughly vetted should yield a better outcome than piecemeal consideration of various election reform measures; and

     WHEREAS, the interim committee process provides an opportunity to study this complex subject in detail while including as many stakeholders as possible;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to convene an interim task force to study electoral reforms and report to the first session of the fifty-fourth legislature its recommendations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reforms to be considered for study include open primaries, nonpartisan redistricting commissions, ranked choice voting, fair ballot access requirements, public financing of campaigns, automatic voter registration, fusion voting and proportional representation, among other electoral reforms; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of thirteen members: six legislative members, divided equally between the house of representatives and senate and no more than three members from the same party; six members of the public; and the secretary of state as a voting member; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at least one-half of the non-legislative members of the task force be individuals who are unaffiliated with a party or who are registered with a minor party and that the task force members be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, the president pro tempore of the senate and the minority leadership of both chambers to ensure party affiliation equity; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council and the secretary of state.

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