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 a secure internet application for gathering electronic signatures for political party qualifications and revises the circumstances for automatic recounts. Significant changes involve the removal of the Elections Security Program from the Bureau of Elections, the expansion of the definition of "qualifying period," and the repeal of certain sections related to municipal election procedures.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for provisional paper ballots, specifying that voters without proper identification must use these ballots, which will not be counted if certain conditions are not met. It clarifies the procedures for automatic recounts and establishes new provisions for the certification of presidential candidates, including deadlines for political parties. The legislation also updates campaign finance regulations, introduces emergency election procedures for county clerks, and repeals outdated sections of the law, all aimed at improving the integrity, efficiency, and accessibility of the electoral process in New Mexico.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