NM NATIVE VOTE SUPPORTS SENATE BILL 8 - THE NEW MEXICO VOTING RIGHTS ACT

The New Mexico Voting Rights Act ensures that everyone has the opportunity to safely and equitably cast a vote. Our democracy works best when people, regardless of race or background, can participate in our elections. It’s time to take action and make our democracy not just the best it can be, but the best it should be.

THE NEW MEXICO VOTING RIGHTS ACT WILL PROTECT NATIVE VOTERS

Improving Native protections means increasing collaboration between tribal leaders and election clerks, standardizing early voting on tribal lands, and guaranteeing much-needed resources for polling places and secure ballot drop boxes. If we’re serious about building a stronger democracy in New Mexico, it’s time we build a stronger democracy for Native Voters.  

There is no reason that Native Peoples should be forced to follow different standards when it comes to requesting resources to vote. Currently, Tribes have to request their polling sites and information a full year in advance of the election date. 

Absentee Ballot drop off sites are crucial to making sure everyone has the most opportunities to have their votes counted. Expanding drop off sites allows tribes to use already existing infrastructure to collect ballots, as opposed to building new programs every other year.

Outdated voting systems disproportionately hurt eligible voters who work multiple jobs, live in rural areas, or have recently moved. In New Mexico, that often means eligible Native voters face challenges when it comes to registering to vote and participating in elections.

New Mexico’s 23 Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos make up 11% of our state’s population. A fair and free democracy in our state leaves no one behind—especially not the communities denied an equal voice in government for generations.

We cannot improve New Mexico’s democracy without improving Native protections. With big decisions surrounding the future of our state’s democracy—the future of our state itself—ahead of us, it’s essential that Tribal leaders have a fair say. No one knows how to best enfranchise tribal communities than their own leaders. By improving Native protections, Native leaders can work with state government officials and election clerks to bring much-needed upgrades to democracy on tribal lands.

NM Native Vote supports the Voting Rights Act as written, including the following provisions:

  • Automatic Voter Registration (AVR)

  • Online Voter Registration (OVR)

  • Restoration of Voting Rights (ROR)

  • Permanent Absentee List 

  • Extending the Absentee Ballot Deadline

  • Sunday Voting 

  • Election Day as a Holiday

  • Enfranchisement of 16 Year Olds in Local & Municipal Elections

Please call or email your State Senator and members of the Senate Rules Committee and urge them to protect Native Voters by passing Senate Bill 8, the New Mexico Voting Rights Act:

Chair: Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto (D - District 15)

Vice Chair: Senator Leo Jaramillo (D - District 5)

Ranking Member: Senator Stuart Ingle (R - District 27)

Senator Gregory Baca (R - District 29)

Senator Katy Duhigg (D - District 10)

Senator Linda Lopez (D - District 11) 

Senator Mark Moores (R - District 21) 

Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D - District 12) 

Senator Cliff Pirtle (R - District 32) 

Senator Mimi Stewart (D - District 17) 

Senator Peter Wirth(D - District 25)