ProgressNow New Mexico News:

SANTA FE — Today, Feb. 4, the New Mexico Coalition for Automatic Voter Registration will hold a virtual rally alongside several state lawmakers.

The virtual rally will kick off the recently-introduced S.B. 14, a bill to implement back-end automatic voter registration (AVR) that will strengthen New Mexico’s democracy, increase accessibility to the polls for all eligible voters, enhance election security, and save taxpayer dollars.

RSVP for the Virtual Rally Here

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: A virtual rally to kick-off S.B. 14 and introduce back-end automatic voter registration

WHEN: Today, Feb. 4 11:30-12:30 p.m. MT

WHERE: RSVP for the virtual rally here

WHO: The New Mexico Coalition for Automatic Voter Registration and New Mexico lawmakers:

New Mexico first passed AVR legislation in 2019 via S.B. 672. This bill codified into law an improvement to voter registration in the state. In 2021, New Mexico has the opportunity to improve its existing AVR system with back-end AVR, as proposed in S.B. 14. POLICY BACKGROUND.

This upgrade will automatically register people to vote when they present documents confirming their citizenship at the MVD or another state agency. People who are already registered to vote will have their information updated to reflect any address or name change provided to the agency. New or updated registrants will then be mailed a postcard offering the opportunity to decline their new registration or registration change. 

This bill presents a number of noteworthy advances for the state and for voters:

• The ability to register a significantly higher percentage of eligible voters than are presently registered. 
• More accurate and up-to-date voter rolls, improving the security and integrity of New Mexico’s voting system.
• Added protection for non-citizens to prevent erroneous registration.
• Allows the option to implement back-end AVR at agencies beyond the MVD, such as the Human Services Department, creating an opportunity for eligible voters who may not have drivers licenses to securely get on New Mexico’s voter rolls. Under the upgraded AVR system, any eligible citizen who received Medicaid could be registered to vote.
• Saves up to $350,000 in taxpayer dollars per election cycle.
• Increased participation among Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color, as well as young people and new citizens.

• The ability to register a significantly higher percentage of eligible voters than are presently registered. 
• More accurate and up-to-date voter rolls, improving the security and integrity of New Mexico’s voting system.
• Added protection for non-citizens to prevent erroneous registration.
• Allows the option to implement back-end AVR at agencies beyond the MVD, such as the Human Services Department, creating an opportunity for eligible voters who may not have drivers licenses to securely get on New Mexico’s voter rolls. Under the upgraded AVR system, any eligible citizen who received Medicaid could be registered to vote.
• Saves up to $350,000 in taxpayer dollars per election cycle.
• Increased participation among Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color, as well as young people and new citizens.

Back-end AVR has already been passed in Oregon, Alaska, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Nevada. This bill presents an opportunity for New Mexico to fully modernize its voter registration system, and if passed in 2021, could easily see implementation before the 2022 elections.