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HB 501: QUESTIONS WITH FORCE OF LAW ON BALLOT

An Act Relating To Elections; Providing That Only Questions Having The Force Of Law May Be Placed On The Ballot.

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MILD HB 501
QUESTIONS WITH FORCE OF LAW ON BALLOT

Legislative URL:
HB 501 on nmlegis.gov
Emergency Clause:
No
Germane:
N/A
Location:
SRC
Action:
[13] HJC/HGEIC-HJC [31] DP/a-HGEIC [36] DP [39] fl/a- PASSED/H (40-19) [41] SRC API.
Issue(s):

Related Legislators

Bill Sponsor:

Related Documents

Downloads:
Introduced
HJC Committee Report
HGEIC Committee Report
Final House Vote
Fiscal Impact Report
Summary

This bill provides that only questions having the force of law may be placed on a statewide or county election ballot. In no case may a question be included on the ballot that is nonbinding and merely advisory in nature.

 

On March 9th the House Judiciary Committee amended HB 501:

  • to increase from 30 to 56 the number of days prior to an election that a copy of the resolution putting a question on the ballot must be sent to the Secretary of State; and
  • to provide that a question may not be included on the ballot that is nonbinding or (instead of and) merely advisory in nature.

 

Possible concerns regarding this bill may include that it prevents a valid form of communication by the electorate to lawmakers on issues of importance to the people; and that such issues when placed on a ballot tend to encourage voter turnout, a benefit that this bill would eliminate.