Shawn Griffiths
SANTA FE, N.M. - With a short legislative window to work with, the updates on a bill to open New Mexico's taxpayer-funded primary elections to more than 330,000 independent voters are happening fast -- and so far, it is good news for reformers.
Senate Bill 16, a semi-open partisan primary bill that gives independent voters the option to pick a major party's primary ballot in future elections. sailed through the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday and was approved by the Senate on Wednesday.
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The vote was 27-11, which matches a floor vote on a similar bill in 2023. The bill will now be considered by lawmakers in the state House.
“We want independent voters to know we will keep fighting through the legislature to the best of our abilities to ensure this constitutional right to vote in all primaries is established," said Sila Avcil, executive director of New Mexico Open Elections.
"They can contact their NM House Representatives and let them know they’d appreciate support for SB16.“
The fate of SB16 will likely be known soon. The New Mexico Legislature is only in session for 60 days in 2025, which is considered its long session compared to 30 days in even-numbered years.
New Mexico is the only state left that has a part-time, volunteer legislature. Lawmakers don't receive a salary, they don't have a staff, and they have little time to pass the state's priorities.
In other words, if SB16 doesn't pass the House, it will be another 2 years before open primaries can be considered again. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
Special thanks to the nonpartisan group Open Primaries for the updated information on this story.