Modernizing the NM Legislature
We deserve an effective, responsive, and reflective state legislature with adequate resources to serve the people of New Mexico.
Making Government Work
Our government should make decisions that further the public's interest. But recently, gridlock, hyper-partisanship, and out-of-date legislative process have hindered meaningful progress. We are fighting back.
Common Cause addresses a range of good government issues to ensure that public officials can their jobs. Over the years, we have worked to:
- Reform the U.S. Senate to update its rules and curb abuse of the silent filibuster
- Prevent government shutdowns over anti-democratic political agendas
- Make sure voters have necessary information about budgets, spending, and the legislative process
- Stop legislators from wrongly interfering with presidential and gubernatorial appointments to the executive and judicial branch
- Ensure state legislatures have adequate time and funding to conduct the peoples’ business
What We’re Doing
Take Action
Petition
Make our state legislature look like us!
We deserve a legislature that reflects our state and understands the needs of New Mexicans through lived experiences. Let's modernize and create an Independent Salary Commission to pay legislators to deliver for New Mexico. A truly representative democracy will benefit us all for generations to come.
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Updates
Blog Post
2025 Democracy Legislation Roundup
New Mexico just wrapped up the 2025 legislative session and we're proud of the democracy bills that passed, and those that didn't quite make it.
Blog Post
Demanding Effective, Transparent, and Accountable Government in New Mexico
Whether it’s allowing more flexibility in legislative sessions, increasing transparency in committee votes, or ensuring that bills receive due consideration, these proposals highlight a commitment to a more accountable and effective government.
Blog Post
We need your calls and emails!
Help us get SJR 1 Legislative Salaries Commission passed through our toughest committee hearing in Senate Finance! We need our members to flood SFC members with calls of support for modernization and urge them to send the amendment to the voters!
Related Resources
Report
Democracy Candidate Survey 2024
An educational survey of candidates in New Mexico on pro-democracy issues was conducted by Common Cause New Mexico, New Mexico Open Elections, Fair Districts for New Mexico, and New Mexico First.
Report
UNM Report on Legislative Professionalism for the State of New Mexico
UNM Study of Legislative Process Ranks NM Near Bottom in Professionalism; Suggests Longer Sessions, Salaries and More Staff
Guide
Model City Council
This is a curriculum program with lessons and resources for educators who want to engage students in learning civics and government topics.
Press
Press Release
COMMON CAUSE NEW MEXICO OUTLINES PRIORITIES FOR 2025 SESSION
CCNM is working on Modernizing the New Mexico Legislature (SJR 1), Semi-Open Primaries (SB 16), Campaign Finance Changes (SB 85), Eliminate Pocket Vetoes (HJR 2) and Game Commission Reform (SB 5), among other key democracy reforms.
Press Release
NM Candidate Survey Shows Substantial Support For Pro-Democracy, Election-Reform Measures
Public Event to Highlight Results 5 p.m. Thursday Sept. 26 in Downtown Albuquerque
Press Release
Common Cause Applauds Funding to Increase Legislative Staff, Bills to Label “Deep Fakes” and Make School Board Campaigns More Transparent
…but says Short Session, Partisan Rancor Left Many Key Measures Behind