[LWVNM Action] NM Senate approves step toward openprimaries

[Richard Mason]

Unexpected amendment to SB4 - Election Changes

*NM Senate approves step toward open primaries*

*By *Dan McKay / Journal Staff Writer

*Published: Friday, June 19th, 2020 at 11:31am*

*Updated: Friday, June 19th, 2020 at 1:27pm*

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, talks with Sen. Jospeh
Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, talk on the Senate Floor on the first day of the
special session going on at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe Thursday June 18,
2020. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)

SANTA FE — New Mexico would open its primary elections to independent
voters — if they agree to register with a political party before casting
their ballot — under legislation that won bipartisan support Friday in the
state Senate.

The proposal, Senate Bill 4, now heads to the House as lawmakers continue a
fast-paced special session largely dedicated to balancing the state budget.

Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales, described the proposed election change as a
small step toward opening up New Mexico’s closed primary system. Only
Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians — the state’s major parties — are
now permitted to vote in primaries.

Sapien won approval Friday for an amendment — passed on a 37-5 vote — that
changes a broader election proposal. It wouldn’t completely open New Mexico
primary elections.

But the measure would allow voters who aren’t affiliated with a political
party to register as a Democrat, Republican or Libertarian at a voting
location and then cast a ballot.

Under the current system, voters have to change their affiliation at least
28 days before the election.

The proposal wouldn’t permit Democrats to switch to Republicans or vice
versa.

But independents could register with a party for the primary election. They
would remain registered with that party going forward unless they switched
back later.

“What we’re doing here is more of a compromise,” Sapien said, not a fully
open primary system.

Allowing independent voters to participate, he said, would force the major
parties to appeal to a broader group of voters rather than just their
traditional base.

Senate Bill 4 now heads to the House. If approved there, it would go to
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
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