New Mexico Voting Rights Act heads to governor’s desk

SANTA FE, N.M. — The New Mexico Voting Rights Act, House Bill 4, cleared its final legislative hurdle Monday as the House of Representatives voted 42-25 to concur with the Senate’s amendments to the bill.

The bill is now headed to the desk of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her signature.

HB 4 covers multiple voting accessibility and election security measures, including:

• Voting protections and improved access for Native American voters 
• Enhancements to voter registration systems and voter data privacy
• Restoration of voting rights for formerly-incarcerated individuals
• Creation of a permanent absentee ballot list, allowing eligible voters to opt-in to automatically receive mail-in ballots 
• Automatic voter registration when changing address or presenting documents at the MVD or other state agencies
• Designation of Election Day as a school holiday

The House also passed a bill Monday to protect election workers with broad bipartisan support. Senate Bill 43, which would make intimidation of election officials and workers a fourth-degree felony, is also headed to the governor’s desk. 

BILL TRACKER

• Track HB 4
• Track SB 43