SENATE MEMORIAL 11

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

William H. Payne

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO CONDUCT A STUDY EXAMINING THE COSTS, FEASIBILITY, POTENTIAL ISSUES AND BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING A VOTER IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM BASED ON BIOMETRIC MEASURES.

     WHEREAS, modern advances in technology have allowed for the automatic identification of individuals based solely on physical characteristics such as thumbprints, retinal or iris scans, voice patterns, hand shape and face shape, as well as behavioral characteristics including handwriting styles; and

     WHEREAS, this technology is commonly referred to as biometrics; and  

     WHEREAS, the use of biometrics has been implemented in several countries around the world as a method of identifying and verifying voters in elections; and

     WHEREAS, nations are employing the use of biometric voting systems to help support fair elections, reduce opportunities for fraud at polls and help to ensure the protection of democratic principles; and

     WHEREAS, in recent years, the possibility of voter fraud has arisen as a concern during elections on both the local and national levels; and

     WHEREAS, the implementation of voter identification systems based on biometrics reduces the potential for voter fraud while accelerating the voter identification process at the polls;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of state be requested to study the technological aspects of biometric measures as a viable method of a voter identification system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of state examine the potential costs associated with establishing a data registry system to support a voter identification system along with the cost of the biometric equipment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of state report the advantages and disadvantages of the implementation of biometric identification for a voter identification system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of state.

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