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SENATE BILL RESTORES PETITION PROCESS FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE CANDIDATES TO GET ON PRIMARY BALLOTS

Santa Fe, NM – “This bill restores the language deleted in last year’s bill which resulted in candidates for statewide offices no longer being able to get on a primary ballot by getting signatures from at least 4% of the total vote of the candidate’s party in the last state or congressional district election -- whichever applies to the office being sought. I believe this unfairly diminished the candidate choices available to voters,” said Senator Michael S. Sanchez (D-Valencia-29), sponsor of the legislation. His Senate Bill 1 was passed today, February 2, 2008, by the Senate.

The legislation would return the State to the method for getting on the ballot which was in place from 1992 until last year. That method required support from at least 20% of preprimary convention delegates of the potential candidates party, or else petition signatures from at least 45 of the total vote of the candidate’s party in the last election for that office. A similar method was in place from around 1974 until around 1986. From 1986 to 1992, only the requisite number of petition signatures would get a potential candidate on the ballot.

“I think last year’s change caused a great deal of confusion as well as frustration so I’m glad that Senate Bill 1 had the support that allowed it to be passed, said Senator Sanchez. Senate Bill 1 passed 38-0 and now goes to the House for consideration.

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