The bill amends various sections of the New Mexico Election Code to enhance election administration and security. Key provisions include establishing a process for the confidentiality of home addresses for public officials and election staff, requiring county clerks to participate in a certification program, and outlining election day procedures for newly appointed election board members. It also mandates the implementation of a secure internet application for gathering electronic signatures for political party qualifications and revises the circumstances under which automatic recounts are required. Significant changes involve the removal of the Elections Security Program from the Bureau of Elections and the introduction of new procedures for handling vacancies on primary and general election ballots, as well as the elimination of references to pre-primary convention designations.

Additionally, the bill updates procedures for candidate declarations and challenges, voter notifications, and provisional voting. It removes references to "preprimary convention designation," allowing candidates to file declarations directly with the proper filing officer. The Secretary of State is required to mail voter notifications for statewide elections at least forty-two days prior, and the bill clarifies conditions for issuing provisional ballots. New provisions regarding the certification of candidates for presidential elections are introduced, including deadlines for political parties to certify candidates and processes for filling vacancies. The bill also establishes emergency election procedures for county clerks and repeals outdated sections of the law to streamline the electoral process.

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