Gov. Lujan Grisham signs New Mexico Voting Rights Act into law

SANTA FE, N.M. — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the New Mexico Voting Rights Act into law Thursday.

“Today, New Mexico is leading the nation by example, declaring that we believe, unequivocally, in the fundamental right of every American to choose those who represent them,” Lujan Grisham said. “The provisions of this bill related to Native Americans, in particular, are the first in the nation, making sure that the rights of citizens of those sovereign nations are also protected.” 

House Bill 4 includes provisions that: 

• Automatically registers voters at the MVD or other local public office designated by the Secretary of State;
• Restores the right of previously incarcerated individuals to vote upon their release from custody 
• Creates a voluntary permanent absentee voter list
• Prohibits the transfer or publication of voter data online
• Mandates same-day voter registration at all polling places
• Mandates at least two monitored secure ballot drop boxes per county
• Enacts the first-in-the-nation Native American Voting Rights Act allowing Indian nations, tribes, and pueblos to amend their request for voting locations and to apply for secured ballot drop boxes and allows electors to use government buildings as their mailing address

The bill is sponsored by Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, House Floor Leader Gail Chasey, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, Rep. Raymundo Lara and Sen. Katy Duhigg. 

The governor also signed the following bills into law Thursday:

HB 004	Voting Rights Protections
HB 053	Delivery Of Necessary Diabetic Resources
HB 075	Chiropractic Services Insurance Coverage
HB 078	Aviation Fund Grt Distribution Sunset
HB 106	Increase Public Employee Pension Max
HB 115	Home Inspector Licensing Exam Changes
HB 116	Active Duty National Guard as State Employees
HB 134	Menstrual Products In School Bathrooms
HB 141	Concerns of Police Survivors License Plate
HB 145	NMMI Legislative Scholarship Program
HB 169	Disclosure of Legislative Ethics Complaints
HB 175	Crime Reduction Act Changes & Fund
HB 179	Filing of Liens with Property Owner
HB 180	Electronic Storage Of State Records
HB 186	Disabled Veteran Property Tax Proof
HB 195	Forest Conservation Act Amendments
HB 198	Career Tech Funds For Indian Ed Schools
HB 209	Health Professional Loan Repayment
HB 232	Disclosure Of Certain Info
HB 255	Employee Leasing Benefit Plans
HB 267	Restricted License Experts
HB 269	Fed Info For Commercial Driver’s Licenses
HB 270	Emergency Suspension Of Trucking Laws
HB 280	American Indian Ed Tech Assistance Centers
HB 287	Driver Safety Awareness License Plates
HB 314	Cannabis Record Expungement
HB 337	Early Childhood Dept. Background Checks
HB 360	National FFA License Plate Support
HB 364	Alcohol Delivery, Licenses, Ad Money
HB 389	No Id Card Fee For Homeless Individuals
HB 411	Engineer & Surveyor Licensure
HB 424	Apprenticeship Council Appointive Authority
HB 449	Displaced Worker Eligibility
HB 525	Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare (Water Project Funds)
HB 533	Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare (School Group Insurance)
SB 043	Intimidation Of Election Officials
SB 120	Open Enrollment for Military Children
SB 144	Santa Fe State Office Building
SB 145	State Police Retirement Changes
SB 146	Tax Administration Changes
SB 147	Tax Changes
SB 155	Use of Telecomm Fund for Broadband
SB 176	Acequia Fund for Disaster Response
SB 180	Election Changes
SB 200	Regional Water Project Procurement
SB 210	National Guard Death Benefit Act
SB 215	Establish Crime of Bestiality
SB 240	Tax Exempt Organization Tax Audits
SB 248	Probate Court Changes
SB 271	Equine Definition
SB 335	Delay Part of Local Election Act
SB 368	Law Enforcement Body Cam Exceptions
SB 397	School-Based Health Centers
SB 425	County Detention Facility Treatment Programs