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# New Mexico Supreme Court Blocks Straight-Party Voting
- URL: https://ivn.us/new-mexico-supreme-court-blocks-straight-party-voting/
- Published: 2018-09-13T15:07:42.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-22T20:04:08.000Z
- Author: Shawn Griffiths
- Tags: News

**SANTA FE, N.M.** \- The New Mexico Supreme Court has rejected Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver's attempt to implement straight-ticket (aka straight-party or one-party) voting for the November election. In a [unanimous decision](https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-mexico/articles/2018-09-12/new-mexico-supreme-court-weighs-automated-one-party-voting?ref=ivn.us) Wednesday, the court ruled that Toulouse Oliver did not have the authority under state law to take such action.

The court sided with the [plaintiffs' argument](https://ivn.us/2018/09/04/n-m-lawsuit-sec-of-states-straight-party-ballot-action-illegal/) that the authority to implement straight-ticket voting belonged to the legislature -- which previously repealed the statute that allowed the ballot option's use.

"Did the Legislature intend to delegate its discretionary authority over straight-party voting to the secretary of state? It clearly did not," said Chief Justice Judith Nakamura

The justices also expressed skepticism over the argument that straight-ticket voting was a tool to speed up the voting process, which advocates claimed would encourage higher turnout and participation in down-ballot races.

"It's not as if a party affiliation at this point is being hidden," said Justice Charles Daniels, pointing out that voters could easily see a candidate's party affiliation next to his or her name.

The secretary of state's [sudden announcement](https://ivn.us/2018/08/29/new-mexico-reinstates-straight-party-voting-option/) that she was going to add straight-ticket voting was immediately met with broad criticism. It was reported that several counties even revolted against the decision, as county commissioners called on local clerks [to ignore it](https://ivn.us/2018/09/07/new-mexico-counties-revolt-straight-party-voting/).

*Photo Credit: [vepar5](https://www.shutterstock.com/g/vepar5?ref=ivn.us) / [shutterstock.com](https://www.shutterstock.com/?ref=ivn.us)*