The bill amends various sections of the New Mexico Election Code to improve election administration and security. Key provisions include establishing a process for public officials and election staff to keep their home addresses confidential, mandating county clerks to complete a certification program within twelve months of their appointment, and introducing new election day procedures for election board members. The bill also removes the Elections Security Program from the Bureau of Elections, requires the Secretary of State to implement a secure internet application for electronic signatures, and modifies the circumstances for automatic recounts. Additionally, it streamlines the election process by repealing certain municipal election procedures and eliminating references to pre-primary convention designations.

Further amendments focus on candidate nomination processes, including the removal of "preprimary convention designation" references, allowing direct filing of candidacy declarations and petitions. The bill mandates voter notifications at least forty-two days before elections, clarifies provisional voting rules, and establishes procedures for provisional ballots, including conditions for counting and rejection. It also introduces new provisions for candidate certification for presidential elections, emergency election procedures for natural disasters, and updates definitions related to campaign financing and political advertising. Overall, the bill aims to enhance voter participation, streamline election processes, and ensure the integrity of candidate financing in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 1-1-27.1, 1-2-5, 1-2-12, 1-2-34, 1-7-2, 1-8-6, 1-8-7, 1-8-13, 1-8-18, 1-8-21, 1-8-26, 1-8-27, 1-8-29, 1-8-33, 1-8-39.1, 1-8-40, 1-10-6, 1-10-13, 1-11-4.1, 1-12-8, 1-12-25.4, 1-14-24, 1-19-26, 1-19A-2, 1-19A-3, 1-19A-7, 1-22-3, 1-24-3