[LWVNM Action] 1912 and 2017 NM Constitutions Articles 7 about women's suffrage limitations and other discrimination/February 6 Centennial Celebration information

[Meredith Machen]

At the State Archives today, I saw the actual 1912 Constitution. Attached is
the image of Article VII with the exact language discriminating against
women, whose right to vote only in school elections were granted with the
caveat that they could be rescinded if men objected. Also discriminated and
disenfranchised were idiots, the insane, and felons. Attached also are pages
from the 2017 Constitution reflecting the League's Supreme Court victory in
2016, which removed that discriminatory language, and which allowed school
elections to be combined with other non-partisan elections. Last month was
the first time in NM history when these elections werecombined thanks to the
Local Election Act. PROGRESS!

Sen. Ivey-Soto gets our deepest appreciation for his role in suing the state
pro-bono on the League's behalf and for his important efforts to combine and
improve election access and operations. As we approach the League's 100th
Anniversary and the Suffrage Centennial/19th Amendment Ratification
celebration at the State Capitol on February 6, he deserves special kudos.
Sen. Ivey-Soto is a long-time member of the League of Women Voters of
Central New Mexico.  

We selected our very esteemed League members Senator Rodriguez and Rep.
Ferrary to carry the legislative memorials on the League's 100th Anniversary
because it is the centennial of the women's vote, but we can never forget
how important our male allies have been in advancing equality at the voting
booth and elsewhere. Rep. Chasey's HM1 acknowledging the suffrage centennial
of the 19th Amendment ratification is available for preview here.
https://nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=M&legNo=1&year
=20
  Forthcoming is League member Sen. Stefanics' companion memorial. All four
memorials were prefiled. 

Senator Rodriguez gets a very special thanks for being the lead sponsor of
our centennial celebration!!!

On February 6, our dual celebration in the rotunda is from 12:30 to 2 pm.
Governor Lujan Grisham will deliver proclamations, LWVUS CEO Virginia Kase,
and other dignitaries will be speaking at that time. A special cake, music,
and other festivities will enliven that day. Our state and local Leagues,
Fair Districts NM (the League’s redistricting project), AAUW, NOW, NAACP,
ACLU, Southwest Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood, Common Cause, the NM
State Records and Archives, the Secretary of State, and others will be
displaying to display some of election-related history, accomplishments, and
resources before and after. 

As this year draws to a close, we acknowledge the importance of everyone's
participation in keeping our democracy strong and vibrant.  

With high hopes that 2020 will be a year of renewal and recommitment to our
sacred mission as a state and country to be inclusive and respectful of our
diversity and the strength it brings. 

Meredith Machen
League of Women Voters of New Mexico

505-577-6337 c
projects at lwvnm.org
meredith.machen at gmail.com

Empowering Voters - Defending Democracy

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