The bill amends the early voting procedures in New Mexico by reducing the time frame for early voting and establishing new hours of operation for polling locations. Specifically, early voting will now commence on the fifteenth day preceding an election, rather than the previous twenty-eighth day. Additionally, early voting locations will be required to open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m., providing twelve consecutive hours of voting each day. The bill also mandates that county clerks post the locations and hours of operation for early voting at least ninety days before each statewide election, with restrictions on modifying these details without prior approval from the secretary of state.

Furthermore, the bill removes exceptions regarding the operation of early voting locations and their hours, ensuring that all locations comply with specific provisions, such as having ballots available for every precinct and being accessible to disabled voters. The requirement for voters to provide identification remains in place, allowing those without ID to vote provisionally. The changes aim to streamline the early voting process and enhance accessibility for voters across the state.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 1-6-5.7