The New Mexico Local Election Act, also known as House Bill 98, has been approved by the New Mexico legislature and signed by the governor this year. The election act took effect on July 1, 2018. The general election this November will continue as usual, but next spring, there will be changes.
House Bill 98 is a lengthy piece of legislation that aims to consolidate various local elections into a new, more organized system. Under the current system, voters must keep track of several elections each year that are held at different times and often don’t get much public attention. The main focus is to create an election day that voters are aware of and that is consistent over time, creating voter transparency and participation, rather than having multiple, small elections throughout the year.
The Local Election Act will consolidate all the nonpartisan elections on the on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. Elections for school districts, community college districts, flood control districts, special zoning districts, soil and water conservation districts, and water and sanitation districts would be merged starting in November 2019.
Municipalities have the option to opt in or out. Those who don’t opt in will hold their elections in March as usual. In the districts that are being consolidated next year, the term of the board member up for reelection will be extended until November, and the term for those elected will begin January 1 2020.
Municipalities have until Jan 1, 2019 to either move voting to the fall or remain on their current schedules. If they opt out, they will be 100% responsible for the cost of their election. Under the new consolidated system, each district that participates will pay an annual assessment of $250 per $1 million of operational budget. The cost of the election is divided by the number of participants and paid for out of the assessment pool.
Primary and general elections, will stay the same, falling every two years in even years. This creates elections every November whether its an even or odd year. The consolidated elections will still have the same early voting opportunities and voters can still request and use absentee ballots.
The City of Anthony New Mexico has yet to decide which route they will take. Do you think it’s a good idea for New Mexico to consolidate elections times? Show up the next City Council meeting to express your opinion to the board.
Comments