CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – The New Mexico State Legislature is considering a bill that restores voting rights to formerly incarcerated people. Under current state law all New Mexicans who are sentenced to prison lose their right to vote; House Bill 74 looks to change that.
HB74 has been proposed by state Representative Gail Chasey (D – Bernalillo) with the intent of restoring rights to people who have paid their debt to society.
What does the bill do?
The proposed bill strikes the current language in the law that strips former inmates of their voting rights. Instead, it changes the language to strip inmates of their ability to vote while they are incarcerated, and it allows those people to re-register to vote at the state Department of Motor Vehicle after they get out of prison.
Those people released from prison must acquire a certificate from the governor of New Mexico stating that they can vote again. Former convicts from other states must also acquire a certificate to affirm their right to vote in New Mexico if they move to the state. People who commit federal crimes must receive both a Federal Pardon and a certificate from the New Mexico governor to be able to vote.
Where is this bill?
As of press time House Bill 74 has passed through two house committees: State Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee; and the House Judiciary Committee.
It must be noted that while the bill passed both committees, neither committee has formally approved the action by sending their reports on the bill to the full NM House of Representatives.
The bill is temporarily on the House Calendar and is expected to get a vote before the end of the week. If passed by the full House, it then goes to the New Mexico Senate for approval.
Rep. Chasey can be contacted at 505-266-5191.