Potential voters would be able to register up until three days before an election under legislation that cleared its first committee hurdle last week. Senate Bill 224 would change current law, which cuts off voter registration 28 days before an election. “It is long overdue that New Mexico update its antiquated 28-day cut off period for citizens to register to vote. Clearly, we have the technology to safely enable citizens to register much closer to the election,” said Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, the bill’s sponsor. “This bill is a great step forward to make that happen.”
The Senate Rules Committee passed a committee substitute for the bill. The original version would have allowed for online registration up until three days before the election, but county clerks were concerned that they didn’t have the manpower to process a potential wave of last-minute registrations. The substitute still allows for people to register up until three days before the election, but they would have to do so in person at an early voting site of the clerk’s office during the window after the current 28-day cutoff.
The bill has the support of both New Mexico Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, as well as Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, according to a press release from Senate Democrats.
Full Article: Bill would OK registration closer to election.