Yesterday, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver adopted the final version of four new administrative rules, which take effect in time for the Primary Election in June 2018. The new rules enhance numerous aspects of the state’s absentee voting process, outline procedures for candidates to transfer funds from one state campaign finance account to another, establish the order in which certain races will appear on the ballot, and bring uniformity to procedures for provisional voting statewide. “These rules bring clarity to a number of existing election procedures and make it easier for New Mexico’s voters – including blind and visually impaired voters – to cast a ballot,” said Secretary Toulouse Oliver. “I will continue looking for ways to streamline New Mexico’s election processes and increase access to the ballot box.”
“Once again we are thrilled the Secretary of State is fulfilling her duties by enacting common-sense rules governing our elections – by clarifying and updating these four areas, Maggie Toulouse Oliver is helping ensure New Mexico voters and candidates know all the rules as we head into this important election year,” said Viki Harrison, Executive Director of Common Cause New Mexico. “Making processes more efficient and streamlined makes all the difference on Election Day.”
The rule on absentee voting includes new procedures to make it easier for blind and visually- impaired voters to vote absentee while maintaining their privacy. Secretary Toulouse Oliver has worked with advocacy groups, including the National Federation of the Blind-New Mexico and the New Mexico Commission for the Blind to develop new materials that will allow blind and visually impaired voters to vote absentee independently using their own non-visual or low-vision technology.
Full Article: Secretary of State Toulouse Oliver Adopts Four Administrative Rules | KRWG.