[Lwvcnmtopics] LWVCNM - Monthly Educational Meeting - Semi-Open Primaries - Thursday February 26 at Noon

[LWV CentralNewMexico]

Dear LWVCNM Members,

If you haven't heard of Semi-Open Primaries, you will soon! This is a
major change for New Mexico and we will be talking about it at every
opportunity. Please join us and learn more, Thursday February 26th at Noon
in the office conference room or on Zoom.

*FEBRUARY EDUCATIONAL MEETING*
*Date - February 26th, at Noon*

*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
<https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=S&LegType=B&LegNo=16&year=25>



*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.

Zoom Invitation

LWVCNM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Semi-Open Primaries
Time: Feb 26, 2026 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88174981750?pwd=CREG8CWgXkOf3Z0IyJgnQtZnqtRYAx.1

Meeting ID: 881 7498 1750
Passcode: 100205

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Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/88174981750/invitations?signature=MJs7ZuwvKyrhRdS82qVkb69NbUuijjTBXBahkDSTOx8



League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico
6739 Academy Rd. NE  Suite 124
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109-3352
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