The bill amends the early voting procedures in New Mexico by reducing the early voting period from twenty-eight days to fifteen days before an election. It establishes that early voting will commence during regular business hours at the county clerk's office and on the third Saturday prior to the election. Additionally, the bill mandates that early voting locations must be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for twelve consecutive hours each day, and it removes previous exceptions regarding the modification of early voting locations and hours, which previously required written approval from the secretary of state.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the requirements for alternate voting locations, specifying that counties with varying populations must establish a minimum number of these locations. It also emphasizes the need for each early voting site to comply with accessibility standards and provide necessary voting equipment. Voters are required to present identification when voting, and if they do not have it, they can still cast a provisional ballot. Overall, the bill aims to streamline early voting procedures while ensuring accessibility and compliance with voting regulations.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 1-6-5.7