Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

After the New Mexico Legislature failed to pass any pro-voter legislation in 2022, they stepped up significantly in 2023 and passed two substantial election laws, the New Mexico Voting Rights Act and a package of important technical reforms. New Mexico is one of only three states that received an A+, our highest grade possible, on this year’s progress report.

Looking Back

Where New Mexico Started at the Beginning of 2023

• Automatic Voter Registration: Hard Stop
• Online Voter Registration: DMV ID
• Same-Day Registration: Yes
• Restoration of Rights: Parole and/or Probation Disenfranchisement
• Vote by Mail: No-Excuse
• Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
• Early Voting Opportunities: Regular Ballot Early Voting
• ID Requirements: No Document Required

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for New Mexico as of 2022, we considered the state a middle tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2023 activity against other middle tier states.

How Our Tier Compares

• COVI (2022): 21st
• EPI Score (2020): 25th
• CLC State Scorecard (2022): 7/10
• MAP Democracy Rating (2022): MEDIUM

2023: This Past Year

Legislative Action

During this past session, the New Mexico Legislature passed historic pro-voter legislation. With the strong support of a coalition of New Mexico democracy organizations, as well as the secretary of state and governor, the New Mexico Voting Rights Act finally became law.

• H 4 the New Mexico Voting Rights Act establishes secure automatic voter registration at the DMV, expands online voter registration opportunities, creates a permanent absentee voter list, expands Native voting access, automatically restores the right to vote for returning citizens upon release from felony incarceration, and establishes an Election Day holiday.
• S 180 requires vote centers for statewide elections, expands the list of individuals that may return a ballot on a voter’s behalf, establishes a robust notice and cure provision for mail ballots, and extends the time that early voting centers may be open.
• S 43 expands the existing crime of intimidating election workers to include the secretary of state, county and municipal clerks, and employees of those offices.