The bill amends the early voting procedures in New Mexico by reducing the time frame for early voting and adjusting the hours of operation for early voting polling locations. Specifically, early voting will now commence on the fifteenth day preceding the 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., ensuring that they are available for twelve consecutive hours 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.

Furthermore, the bill establishes requirements for alternate voting locations based on the population of the counties, ensuring that voters have access to multiple locations to cast their ballots. It specifies that counties with varying populations must have a minimum number of alternate voting locations, and these locations must comply with certain provisions, including accessibility and the availability of necessary voting equipment. The bill emphasizes the importance of voter identification and allows for provisional ballots if identification is not provided. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the early voting process and enhance voter access in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 1-6-5.7