Voters in Cibola County will help decide whether the state constitution should be amended.
There are four amendments voters must decide on. Two of them focus on giving veterans property tax breaks, one changes the role of leadership in the state’s judicial nominating process, and the last would give more power to county commissioners.
Notably, despite the consistent complaints from all sides of the political aisle across all 33 counties in New Mexico, none of these amendments do anything to address criminal code currently in the constitution.
A concerned voter came to the newspaper’s office and asked for a breakdown of arguments for and arguments against each of these amendments. The Cibola Citizen will not endorse or oppose any candidate or ballot measure. The New Mexico Legislative Council Service, an official part of the NM Legislature, released a list of opinions where they debated for and against the amendments. Their opinions do not represent the legislature or the Cibola Citizen, their full report can be found at https://www.nmlegis.gov/ Publications/New_Mexico_ State_Government/C onstitutional_Amendment/ Constitutional_Ame ndments_2024.pdf the newspaper has gathered their opinions for readers.
Here’s a breakdown of the key amendments, in the order they appear on the ballot:
1. Bigger Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Amendment
This amendment reads:
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO EXTEND A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, CURRENTLY ONLY ALLOWED FOR ONE HUNDRED PERCENT DISABLED VETERANS AND THEIR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS, TO VETERANS WITH LESS THAN A ONE HUNDRED PERCENT DISABILITY AND THEIR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS AND BASING THE AMOUNT OF THE EXEMPTION ON A VETERAN'S DISABILITY RATING.
Proposed by Cibola’s own State Representatives Eliseo 'Lee' Alcon (D, HD6) and Harry Garcia (D, HD69), both veterans themselves, this amendment aims to provide further tax relief for disabled veterans.
The measure would adjust property tax exemptions based on a veteran’s disability rating, potentially lowering taxes for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. This amendment is designed to offer additional financial support for those who have served in the military, particularly those who live with long-term disabilities because of their service.
• What it does: Extends property tax exemptions to veterans with less than 100 percent disability, basing the amount on their disability rating, and applies this to their widows and widowers.
• Arguments for: Supports disabled veterans, especially those on fixed incomes, and treats veterans equally regardless of disability severity.
• Arguments against: May benefit veterans who don't need financial assistance, and shifts the tax burden to non-veteran property owners.
2. Increase Veteran Property Tax Exemption Amendment
This amendment reads:
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8, SECTION 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO INCREASE A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR HONORABLY DISCHARGED MEMBERS OF THEARMED FORCES AND THEIR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS.
Also proposed by Alcon and Garcia, this amendment seeks to increase the property tax exemption for all veterans from the current $4,000 to $10,000, with an adjustment for inflation each year.
• What it does: Increases the property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans from $4,000 to $10,000, adjusted annually for inflation.
• Arguments for: Helps veterans maintain homeownership and shows appreciation for their service.
• Arguments against: Could shift more tax burden to non-veteran property owners and isn't based on financial need.
3. Judicial Nominating CommissionAmendment
This amendment reads:
PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 6, SECTION 35 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO BY ALLOWING THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW TO APPOINT A DESIGNEE TO THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION.
This amendment would allow the dean of, or a designee of the dean, from the University of New Mexico Law School to serve as chair of the judicial nominating commission. The amendment has specification for the designee, they must be: an associate dean of, a faculty member of, a retired faculty member of, or a former dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law.
This change is aimed at enhancing the governance of the commission, which plays a crucial role in selecting qualified judges for New Mexico courts when vacancies appear.
This commission was last active in Cibola County during the hearings that led to Amanda Sanchez Villalobos' appointment as a judge in New Mexico’s 13th Judicial District in 2020, following a vacancy created by a judge's retirement.
• What it does: Allows the Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law to appoint a designee to chair the Judicial Nominating Commission.
• Arguments for: Frees up the Dean to focus on law school duties and
still ensures a qualified person serves as chair.
• Arguments against: Removes the Dean’s neutral tie-breaking vote and reduces the Dean's involvement in the judicial appointment process.
4. County Officer Salaries Amendment
This amendment reads:
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 10, SECTION 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE THAT THE SALARIES OF COUNTY OFFICERS SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, REMOVE REFERENCES TO THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND CLARIFY THAT ANY FEES COLLECTED BY A COUNTY OFFICIAL SHALL BE PAID INTO THE TREASURY OF THE COUNTY.
This amendment would allow county commissioners to set salaries for county officers, rather than having those salaries set by the state legislature, which is how these are currently set.
County officers include officials like: Cibola County Treasurer, Assessor, Sheriff, Commissioner, and Probate Judge.
Additionally, the measure clarifies existing language about depositing monies directly into the treasury to be gender neutral. It does not change how the money is currently deposited into the county treasury, or the fact that is must be.
• What it does: Gives the power to set county officer salaries to the county commissioners instead of the state legislature.
• Arguments for: Provides “local control,” helps recruit qualified candidates, and reflects modern governance needs.
• Arguments against: Could lead to inconsistent salaries across counties, potential conflicts of interest (since commissioners would set their own salaries), and reduce legislative oversight.
Early voting is ongoing. If you prefer to vote on Election Day, be sure to cast your ballot on November 5 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Your vote is your voice, and Your Voice Matters!