The bill amends existing New Mexico law to declare the first Tuesday in November as "Election Day" and establishes it as a paid holiday for state and other public employees. This change is reflected in the addition of Election Day to the list of legal public holidays in Section 12-5-2 NMSA 1978. The bill also modifies Section 1-12-42 NMSA 1978 to ensure that voters are entitled to a full day's compensation from their employers for being absent from work to vote, rather than just two hours as previously stipulated.

Additionally, the bill specifies that certain employees, such as those necessary to supervise and administer elections, are exempt from the provisions allowing for time off to vote. It also includes a penalty for employers who refuse the right granted to employees to take time off to vote, classifying such refusal as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine. Overall, the bill aims to enhance voter participation by ensuring that employees can take the necessary time off to exercise their right to vote without financial penalty.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 1-12-42, 12-5-2