WHERE:   LWVCNM Offices Conference Room, 6739 Academy Rd. NE, ample parking available

In person (members and guests only); Zoom (members and general public)

TOPIC:        Semi Open Primaries and the Passage of SB16

SPEAKER:  Bob Perls, Founder and President of the non-profit New Mexico Open Elections

The Educational Meeting will feature Bob Perls addressing Semi-Open Primaries and the passage of SB16, permitting independent and Decline to State voters to participate in NM primary elections. The address by Perls, the Founder and President of the non-profit New Mexico Open Elections for 10 years will include the impact of this legislation and the task of educating the electorate to fully exercise this option.  

 

LWVCNM members are continually involved in seeking to increase the number of residents fully participating in decisions impacting our democracy.  Most LWV members are also aware that many New Mexico voters, including younger voters, are either “no Party designated” or “Decline to State” which excludes their participation in NM Primary Elections – often the decisive vote for some elective offices. 

Additionally, those with no major party designation may be unaware that the 2025 NM legislature passed SB16, “NON-MAJOR PARTY VOTERS IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS” with Governor Lujan-Grisham’s signature into law in April 2025. 

The full text of the final bill may be viewed here:  Legislation - New Mexico Legislature

 

New Mexico Open Elections (NMOE) was founded in 2015 by former New Mexico State Representative and U.S. Diplomat, Robert “Bob” Perls.  The organization is focused on open primaries, and other issues like ranked-choice voting, independent redistricting, and legislative modernization.  (cont.)

Bob is a former New Mexico State Representative and former U.S. Diplomat with the Department of State.  His family moved to New Mexico when he was five years old and resided in the Albuquerque area. He attended Albuquerque Public Schools, Pomona College, where he earned a B.A. in Government and University of Maryland where he earned an M.S. in Healthcare Management.  He is a serial entrepreneur in the healthcare, cybersecurity, and renewable energy fields. 

Bob was instrumental in the passage of the semi open primaries bill and is an expert in election reform. He is also Honorary Consul for Germany in NM. Bob lives in Corrales with his wife, Joan.