SB 180, sponsored by Sen. Katy Duhigg, Sen. Leo Jaramillo and Rep. Gail Chasey, will result in more efficient and secure elections according to Common Cause New Mexico. The bill was passed by the NM House today and is headed to the Governor.

“The passage of Senate Bill 180 is a landmark victory for the advancement of election administration and voter protections that we are pleased to see head to the Governor’s desk,” said Mason Graham, policy director Common Cause New Mexico.

“We applaud the sponsor, Senator Katy Duhigg, and the Secretary of State, as well as Leader Gail Chasey, for their persistent work to carry this legislation, which was originally introduced in the 2022 session in Senate Bill 8.”

Among the features of the update:

• 
Specifying when the Inspection of Public Records Act, or IPRA, can be used for election information
• Allowing electronic nominating petition signatures
Creating an election security program
• Requiring training for election challengers and watchers
Revising requirements for the impoundment of ballots, audits
• Voting machine rechecks and recounts
• 
Revising election-related crimes and authorizing taxpayer information to be revealed to the secretary of state for purposes of maintaining voter registration records

SB 180 is the companion bill to HB 4, which passed yesterday.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard as equals in the political process.