A survey of 170 NM candidates running for state Senate and House as well as US Congress in the 2024 general election shows substantial support for democracy reform measures. The candidate survey was conducted during the summer by a coalition of four pro-democracy non-profits—Common Cause NM, Fair Districts NM, NM First and NM Open Elections. The survey questions were sent via email to 170 candidates with follow-up asking candidates to respond. Thirty-seven (37) of the 170 candidates responded to the survey questions, a 21% response rate.

Highlights of the survey will be presented at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Juno Brewery, 1501 1st St. NW in downtown Albuquerque.

“While this is not a scientific poll, the response rate is comparable to other candidate surveys and helpful in ascertaining the level of support for our issues and where candidates need additional information,” said Mason Graham, policy director of Common Cause New Mexico, one of the participating organizations.

“We are heartened by the huge support (over 75%) for two sixty-day legislative sessions, additional lobbyist disclosure laws, open primaries, an independent redistricting commission, and the removal of a constitutional provision preventing legislative salaries,” said Perry Radford, deputy director of NM Open Primaries, another participating organization.

Even if the respondents were those who were most interested in these issues, we think the results are significant for the 2024 legislative session, which will include many new faces, she said.

Among the survey’s top results:

• 89.8% (66.7 % support; 23.1% somewhat) said they supported amending the constitution to extend the legislative sessions to 60 days in both odd and even-numbered years.
• 89.5% (76.3% support; 13.2% somewhat) said that they would support legislation that required increased disclosure of lobbying activities.
• 87.2% support (71.8% support ;15.4% somewhat) opening primaries to voters who decline to state and minor parties without having them change their voter registration.
• 87.10% (61.5% support; 25.8% somewhat) support amending the constitution to allow an independent redistricting commission for the 2030-2031 election.
• 84.7% (74.4% support; 10.3% somewhat) support amending the constitution to remove the prohibition on legislative compensation.
• 79.6% (69.2% support; 10.4% somewhat) support legislation requiring increased financial disclosures from elected officials.
• 56.4% (28.2% support; 28.2% somewhat) support the use of ranked-choice voting in state- level general and/or primary elections.
• 41% (25.6% support; 15.4% somewhat support) legislation to remove the governor’s call

Candidates were also asked if they needed more information on specific issues. Candidates expressed the highest degree of uncertainty (23.1%) about legislation to remove the governor’s call.  20.5% were not sure about ranked-choice voting, with 18% opposed, the highest level of opposition in the survey.

For information about the Sept. 26 event, visit https://www.nmopenelections.org/democracy_open_house

Top findings from the report are attached. The full report will be released at the Sept. 26 event.

Non-Partisan New Mexico Democracy 2024 Candidate Survey Report

Organizations: Common Cause NM, Fair Districts New Mexico, NM First, NM Open Elections
Start Date: March 2024
End Date: August 2024

Summary:

Following the 2024 Primary Election, four pro-democracy nonprofit organizations based in New Mexico conducted a survey of General Election candidates to discover more about their position on pro-democracy and government reform legislation. The collaborative survey created by Common Cause New Mexico, Fair Districts New Mexico, NM First, and New Mexico Open Elections probed candidates on their understanding, support, or opposition of policy initiatives that are supported by each of the organizations.

Candidates from both major political parties as well as independent and minor parties were contacted and surveyed with responses received from 23 candidates for New Mexico State House of Representatives, 12 candidates for New Mexico State Senate, and 2 for US House of Representatives. Overall we observed broad support across all of the proposed policy reforms with only a few exceptions with less than majority support.

Methodology:

Only candidates who had won their respective primary election and received the nomination as the General Election candidate were contacted to participate in the survey. In July 2024 candidates were invited to complete the survey via a digital fillable form. Candidate responses were received between June 2024 and August 2024 with 37(21%) responses out of 170 candidates contacted.

Candidates were surveyed on the following topics:

1. Independent Redistricting Commission:

○ 87.1% support, 5.1% oppose

2. Legislative Compensation Reform:

○ 84.7% support, 7.7% oppose

3. Extension of Legislative Sessions to 60 Days (Odd & Even Years):

○ 89.8% support, 3% oppose

4. Removing the Governor’s Call:

○ 41% support, 18% oppose

5. Semi-Open Primaries:

○ 87.2% support, 5% oppose

6. Ranked-Choice Voting in State Elections:

○ 56.4% support, 18% oppose

7. Increased Financial Disclosures for Elected Officials:

○ 79.6% support, 2.6% oppose

8. Increased Disclosure for Lobbying Activities:

○ 89.5% support, 0% oppose